WASHINGTON – President Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss regional security issues revolving around China and the unrest in Myanmar, the White House said.
The two leaders agreed to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, “ including support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity and stronger regional architecture through the Quad, ” the White House said in a statement on the call, referring to the four-national group that also includes Japan and Australia.
While China was not mentioned by the White House, increased Chinese patrols around Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea last year led democracies towards greater cooperation. The Quad partially reformed in 2017 to address emerging China.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Indian government said in a statement that leaders “discussed at length regional developments and the wider geopolitical context” and “reiterated the importance of working with like-minded countries to promote a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive India Pacific region. “
Messrs Biden and Modi also discussed unrest in Myanmar, as well as Covid-19 and climate change, according to the White House.