Trade will be an important factor in India-US ties: PM Modi tells Joe Biden at White House meeting

This is the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Biden became President in January.

PM Modi will also attend the Quad Summit on Friday night.

"I would like to thank @POTUS for the warm welcome. I recall our interactions in 2014 and 2016. That time you had shared your vision for ties between India and USA. I am glad to see you are working to realise this vision," said Modi at the start of the talks in the White House.

"Today’s bilateral summit is important. We are meeting at the start of the third decade of this century. Your leadership will certainly play an important role in how this decade is shaped. The seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and USA," said the Indian Prime Minister.

Modi said "there is much to be done in trade."

"Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade," he added.

"President Biden mentioned Gandhi Ji’s Jayanti. Gandhi Ji spoke about Trusteeship, a concept which is very important for our planet in the times to come," said PM Modi during the meeting.

"Each of the subjects mentioned by President Biden are crucial for the India-USA friendship. His efforts on COVID-19, mitigating climate change and the Quad are noteworthy," said the Indian PM.

PM Modi will later attend the first in-person Quad summit hosted by the US President.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga too will attend the summit.