Raised Importance Of Human Rights, Free Press, Role Of Civil Society With PM Modi At G20, Says Biden

US President Joe Biden has said that he talked about the importance of human rights, the free press and the role of civil society with PM Narendra Modi at G20.

PM Modi with US President Biden at G20 in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

US President Joe Biden said that he raised the importance of respecting human rights and free press during talks with PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, reported PTI. Addressing reporters in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, Biden said that he held "substantial discussions" with PM Modi in New Delhi on ways to strengthen the partnership between the democracies and also thanked him for his leadership and hosting the G20 Summit in New Delhi. 

"As I always do, I raised the importance of respecting human rights and the vital role the civil society and a free press have in building a strong and prosperous country with Modi," he said. 

According to the joint statement, as quoted by PTI, the two leaders re-emphasised that shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success the two countries enjoy. 

"The leaders re-emphasised that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship," the statement further said. 

President Biden held wide-ranging talks with the Prime Minister, and they vowed to "deepen and diversify" the bilateral major defence partnership.  

"I want to once again thank Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and his hospitality and hosting the G20. He and I have had substantial discussions about how we're going to continue to strengthen the partnership between India and the US building on the Prime Minister's visit to the White House last June," Biden said during a press conference, as per PTI. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he was happy to welcome United States President Biden at his official residence where they held 'very productive' talks with discussion on furthering economic, people-to-people linkages between India and the US.