Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington DC on Thursday, invited by US President Joe Biden for a formal state visit. The two leaders discussed a variety of topics, including the Ukraine war, aviation, trade, and defense, during their bilateral meeting at the White House. Modi was then welcomed with a colorful ceremony on the South Lawn, followed by a joint press conference and a speech to US lawmakers. At the press conference, Biden said the two leaders discussed “close collaboration” and India’s role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Modi expressed commitment to finding a peaceful solution, adding that India also placed importance on the “resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.” The two leaders also issued a joint statement emphasizing Ukraine’s “territorial integrity.”

The Indian Prime Minister was then posed a question about discrimination towards minorities in India. Modi said that there was no “space for discrimination” in the country, and that democracy is India’s “blood.” The two countries also announced a number of business deals, including an agreement between the US chipmaker Micron Technology and Hindustan Aeronautics to jointly make engines in India. India also joined the US-led Artemis Accords and signed an agreement that would allow US Navy ships to stop in Indian shipyards for repairs. US tech companies also announced more than $2 billion in investments in India. At the ceremony to formally kick off the state visit, Biden said that the relationship between the US and India “will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century.”

Modi thanked Biden for his “friendship” and said it was an “honor and pride” for the 1.4 billion people in India and the 1.4 million people of Indian origin living in the US. He said the Indian community was the “real strength” of their ties. Modi concluded by saying that in the post-pandemic future, the friendship between India and the US would be “instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world.” The US President agreed, and both leaders praised the strong strategic partnership between their countries.