Washington - The White House has conveyed that during his forthcoming visit to New Delhi for the G20 leaders' meeting, US President Joe Biden will concentrate on "fundamentally reshaping and scaling up the multilateral development banks." Additionally, his priorities for the summit will encompass debt relief for nations, climate issues, healthcare, digital technology, and commitments related to a more inclusive digital transformation, as well as a responsible approach to the development of artificial intelligence.
Despite First Lady Jill Biden's positive Covid-19 test, President Biden's plans remain unchanged. He has tested negative for the virus, but as a precaution due to potential exposure, he will adhere to the guidelines mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including wearing masks in public areas and around individuals.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced that President Biden will depart for New Delhi on Thursday during a news briefing previewing the visit. Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will engage in a bilateral meeting on Friday, followed by the US President's participation in G20 meetings on Saturday and Sunday.
This visit marks Biden's first trip to India as President, with his last visit in 2013 when he served as Vice-President.
Sullivan emphasized that one of the primary focal points of President Biden's agenda is "reshaping and scaling up the multilateral development banks, especially the World Bank and the IMF (the International Monetary Fund)." He emphasized that these institutions are vital tools for mobilizing transparent and high-quality investment in developing nations. The US is leading efforts to evolve these institutions to meet contemporary challenges.
The nomination of Indian-American Ajay Banga to head the World Bank is part of these initiatives, as previously stated by the Biden administration. Sullivan pointed out that the US is requesting an additional $25 billion in funding for the World Bank from the US Congress, expecting other partner countries to follow suit.
Sullivan also highlighted that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, resulting from Russia's invasion, will be a significant topic of discussion. President Biden will advocate for a just and enduring peace, based on respect for international law, UN Charter principles, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. The US will continue to support Ukraine in upholding these principles for as long as necessary, with the poorest countries disproportionately affected by Russia's actions.