WASHINGTON – President Biden spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, discussing regional security issues surrounding China and the Myanmar uprising, 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 to the four – national group which also includes Japan and Australia.
Although China was not mentioned by the White House, the increase in Chinese patrols around Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea last year led democracies to more intense cooperation. The Quad was renovated in 2017, in part to cope with China’s rise.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Indian government said in a statement that leaders “have discussed the regional developments and the broader geopolitical context at length” and “reiterated the importance of working with like-minded countries to ensure an international rule based on rules and a free environment, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region. ”
Mr. Biden and Mr. Modi also discussed the unrest in Myanmar, as well as Covid-19 and climate change, according to the White House.