Washington/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday held bilateral talks with US President Joe Bident at The White House's Oval Office which he termed as a new chapter, direction, and energy to the comprehensive partnership.

PM Modi was accorded a grand welcome at The White House. President Joe Biden in his address said "India and the US are two great nations, two great friends."

"Indians and Americans are both people who, in a way, turn obstacles into opportunities": Joe Biden in a joint media statement.

"Indian firms are announcing 2 billion dollars in optics fibre in Carolina. We are opening new consulates. Our nations look together on regional nations. We look at problems unleashed by Russia with war on Ukraine. We are building regional connections to the Middle east. We're putting sustainable development on the agenda of G20," Biden said.

"This day has huge significance in India-US relations. This is a new chapter, direction, and energy to our comprehensive partnership. The US is India's biggest trade partner," said PM Modi.

Stating 'sky is not the limit for India-US relations', he said: "We are leaving behind the buyer-seller relationship and moving towards tech transfer, co-production."

"I met CEOs here and I saw their enthusiasm towards India. In global uncertainty, India and the US are trusted partners. The GE engine deal is landmark. This deal will create jobs and create defence cooperation and startups from the nations are important partners," PM Modi said.

The Indian PM said both countries have entered the Artemis Accord and have taken a giant leap in the India-US space partnership.

"Indians outside The White House is a testimony to deep India-US relations. We are starting Consulates in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Indian Consulate in Seattle.

"Peace and security in the Indo-Pacific is our priority, development of this region is important. for global development In our fight against terrorism, we are walking shoulder to shoulder. Due to Covid and Ukraine conflict, the global south has suffered. India has pressed on dialogue and diplomacy to end the Ukraine conflict," he said in the joint press statement.

Addressing the US media, PM Modi said democracy runs in India's and US' veins.

"We have proved democracy can deliver. If there are no human values, no human rights, no humanity, it's not a democracy. When we live in a democracy, there's no place for discrimination. In India, there is no discrimination on the basis of caste, age, religion," PM Modi told the US media.

Speaking on climate change, PM Modi said India doesn't believe in exploiting nature as it is a part of Indian culture and highlighted his government's efforts to counter climate change.

After bilateral talks, the Prime Minister will address a joint sitting of the two houses of the US Congress for a second time, which will be followed by dinner at the White House. This second historic joint address is a first for an Indian leader and a rarity for the rest of the world as well.