WASHINGTON – President Biden spoke Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing regional security issues revolving around China and the disorder 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, in reference to the four -national group which also includes Japan and Australia.
Although the White House made no mention of China, last year there were increased Chinese patrols around the Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea that led democracies toward intensive cooperation. The Quad was reformed in 2017 in part to deal with rising China.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Indian government said in a statement that the leaders “thoroughly discussed regional developments and the broader geopolitical context” and “reiterated the importance of working with countries with similar ideas to ensure a rules-based international order and order. Free, Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific Region “.
According to the White House, Messrs. Biden and Modi also discussed the disorder in Myanmar, as well as Covid-19 and climate change.