Amid heavy criticism and a bleak outlook from opinion polls, President Joe Biden signed into law the largest US infrastructure overhaul in more than half a century on Monday at a rare bipartisan celebration in the White House.

$1.2 trillion of infrastructure improvements includes fixing bridges and roads, replacing lead water pipes, building a charging network for electric vehicles, and the expansion of broadband internet access.

A government investment of this magnitude hasn't been seen since the national highway system was built in the 1950s.

Also read&nbsp; |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-virtual-summit-biden-urges-for-guardrails-against-conflict-xi-calls-for-better-communication-429645">US-China virtual summit: Biden urges for 'guardrails' against conflict, Xi calls for better communication</a>

"We've heard countless speeches… but today we're finally getting this done," Biden told hundreds of invitees on the White House South Lawn.

"So my message to the American people is this: America is moving again and your life is going to change for the better."

The bill is "proof that Democrats and Republicans can come together to deliver results," Biden said. "Let's believe in one another and let's believe in America."

Spending on infrastructure is popular, but Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump was unsuccessful at achieving the goal for four years, making promises of an upcoming "infrastructure week" a running joke.

Even now, Biden had to rack up months of negotiating with his fractious Democratic Party to get them to vote, running the risk of a humiliating defeat.

In a bitterly divided Congress, Democrats control only a narrow majority, but in a rare moment of cooperation, a substantial number of Republicans in the Senate joined them along with a symbolic handful in the House.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/insisting-china-play-by-the-rules-of-the-road-biden-xi-virtual-summit-seeks-to-settle-tense-relationship-429637">Insisting China 'play by the rules of the road', Biden-Xi virtual summit seeks to settle tense relationship</a>

"We agreed this would be a truly bipartisan process," Senator Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, told the White House gathering. "This should be the beginning of a renewed effort to work together on big issues facing our country." 
 
However, there is a possibility that this&nbsp;feel-good moment will not last.

Biden's approval ratings are on the decline, with the latest Washington Post-ABC poll showing just 41 per cent approval. It is most concerning for the White House that support is ebbing away not only among independent voters but also within the Democratic Party itself.

In spite of the outreach by some Republicans, the majority of the opposition party has little interest in declaring a truce.

In a scathing attack against the 13 Republicans in the House who voted alongside the Democrats, Trump said Republicans who crossed the aisle should be "ashamed" and are not real Republicans.

The hard-right Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, particularly vocal in her support for Trump, called the 13 fellow Republicans "traitors." She tweeted out the office phone numbers of the fellow Republicans, some of whom reported receiving torrents of violent abuse.

"These are the 13 ‘Republicans’ who handed over their voting cards to Nancy Pelosi to pass Joe Biden’s Communist takeover of America via so-called infrastructure" she had&nbsp;said in the since-deleted tweet.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-taiwan-warnings-ahead-of-biden-xi-summit-429229">US, China trade Taiwan warnings ahead of Biden-Xi summit</a>

Republicans will almost certainly increase their numbers in midterm congressional elections in just under a year, further straining Biden's already tenuous hold on Washington.

However, the White House hopes the bill signing will give a boost to Biden, who holds a video link meeting with Xi Jinping today.

Watch |&nbsp;Biden-Xi summit: Presidents of world's two largest economies to meet, Chinese aggression in focus

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-xi-summit-presidents-of-worlds-two-largest-economies-to-meet-chinese-aggression-in-focus-429595/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The $1.75 trillion package for childcare, education, and other social spending that Biden describes as a historic effort to eliminate social inequalities is still pending.

The proposal is being held up by internal party disagreements and has zero Republican support. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House Speaker, told the White House gathering that she hopes the bill will be passed this week.

Amid heavy criticism and a bleak outlook from opinion polls, President Joe Biden signed into law the largest US infrastructure overhaul in more than half a century on Monday at a rare bipartisan celebration in the White House.

Amid heavy criticism and a bleak outlook from opinion polls, President Joe Biden signed into law the largest US infrastructure overhaul in more than half a century on Monday at a rare bipartisan celebration in the White House. $1.2 trillion of infrastructure improvements includes fixing bridges and roads, replacing lead water pipes, building a charging network for electric vehicles, and the expansion of broadband internet access. A government investment of this magnitude hasn't been seen since the national highway system was built in the 1950s. Also read | US-China virtual summit: Biden urges for 'guardrails' against conflict, Xi calls for better communication "We've heard countless speeches… but today we're finally getting this done," Biden told hundreds of invitees on the White House South Lawn. "So my message to the American people is this: America is moving again and your life is going to change for the better." The bill is "proof that Democrats and Republicans can come together to deliver results," Biden said. "Let's believe in one another and let's believe in America." Spending on infrastructure is popular, but Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump was unsuccessful at achieving the goal for four years, making promises of an upcoming "infrastructure week" a running joke. Even now, Biden had to rack up months of negotiating with his fractious Democratic Party to get them to vote, running the risk of a humiliating defeat. In a bitterly divided Congress, Democrats control only a narrow majority, but in a rare moment of cooperation, a substantial number of Republicans in the Senate joined them along with a symbolic handful in the House. Also read | Insisting China 'play by the rules of the road', Biden-Xi virtual summit seeks to settle tense relationship "We agreed this would be a truly bipartisan process," Senator Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, told the White House gathering. "This should be the beginning of a renewed effort to work together on big issues facing our country." However, there is a possibility that this feel-good moment will not last. Biden's approval ratings are on the decline, with the latest Washington Post-ABC poll showing just 41 per cent approval. It is most concerning for the White House that support is ebbing away not only among independent voters but also within the Democratic Party itself. In spite of the outreach by some Republicans, the majority of the opposition party has little interest in declaring a truce. In a scathing attack against the 13 Republicans in the House who voted alongside the Democrats, Trump said Republicans who crossed the aisle should be "ashamed" and are not real Republicans. The hard-right Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, particularly vocal in her support for Trump, called the 13 fellow Republicans "traitors." She tweeted out the office phone numbers of the fellow Republicans, some of whom reported receiving torrents of violent abuse. "These are the 13 ‘Republicans’ who handed over their voting cards to Nancy Pelosi to pass Joe Biden’s Communist takeover of America via so-called infrastructure" she had said in the since-deleted tweet. Also read | US, China trade Taiwan warnings ahead of Biden-Xi summit Republicans will almost certainly increase their numbers in midterm congressional elections in just under a year, further straining Biden's already tenuous hold on Washington. However, the White House hopes the bill signing will give a boost to Biden, who holds a video link meeting with Xi Jinping today. Watch | Biden-Xi summit: Presidents of world's two largest economies to meet, Chinese aggression in focus The $1.75 trillion package for childcare, education, and other social spending that Biden describes as a historic effort to eliminate social inequalities is still pending. The proposal is being held up by internal party disagreements and has zero Republican support. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House Speaker, told the White House gathering that she hopes the bill will be passed this week.

Achieving what Trump couldn't, Biden celebrates rare win with US infrastructure bill signing

India has said that it will study the US President Joe Biden's 'Build Back Better'&nbsp;global infrastructure initiative proposal announced at the G7 summit as an alternative to China`s Belt and Road (BRI).

This plan, which is proposed to be led by major democracies, will provide financial and technological help to narrow the over USD 40 trillion infrastructure need, mainly in the developing world which has been worsened by COVID-19.

It is also expected to create local employment. This initiative at G7 is seen as a potential jolt to Chinese President Xi Jinping's pet project BRI.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-g7-pm-modi-highlights-indias-civilisational-commitment-to-democracy-391208">At G7, PM Modi highlights India's civilisational commitment to democracy</a>

India said relevant agencies will be studying the plan and will probably engage with the project later. Briefing reporters, senior ministry of external affairs (MEA) official P Harish said, "On the specific question of joining 'Build back better for the world', I can confirm that relevant agencies of the government of India would study them and would engage with them probably at the later stage.

"China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is already facing criticism even by subscribing countries. Whether it is mounting debt, a lack of local employment or transparency, a lot of questions and red flags have been raised. While India refused to join the Chinese initiative and sees it as an infringement of its territorial integrity, neighbours Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka are part of the BRI.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-invites-india-to-join-g7-health-ministers-summit-virtually-386322">UK invites India to join G7 Health Ministers' Summit virtually</a>

At G7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the democratic countries to demonstrate to the world that they can implement projects in a more effective and transparent manner.

According to a senior MEA official, "The PM has emphasised that democracies should demonstrate that in project implementation sphere we can deliver not only within the country but in other countries also. On this issue, the PM referred to India's experience that is in neighbouring countries, African countries and that in development framework partnership. The PM also indicated that India stands ready to do more in this regard keeping in view the ethos of transparency and inclusion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-participation-at-g7-will-be-seamless-uk-tells-india-390904">PM Modi's participation at G7 will be seamless, UK tells India</a>

"At G7, Prime Minister Modi also emphasised the need for open and democratic societies to work together and strengthen each other's hands to defend the values that they hold and to respond to challenges.

When asked whether there was any discussion on the origin of COVID, the MEA official said "I can say that leaders of the G7 and guest countries had a very detailed and intense discussion on the need for reforming global health governance, I would like to emphasise in this regard that India has been actively engaged with the international community at the levels of G20, G7 and the World Health Assembly on various aspects related to dealing with the current pandemic, learning lessons and preparing for future pandemics.

"The India-South Africa TRIPS waiver proposal also found widespread support at the G7 and the need to diversify technology transfer and financing for equitable vaccine distribution.

MEA secretary P Harish said, "There was widespread support in the deliberation for text-based negotiations for India-South Africa proposal for TRIPS waiver at WTO. On the need to provide financial assistance to various manufacturers in the world was general agreement to increase its capacity, regional production hubs, providing financing, technology transfer and skill development in these regions."

"I can say without hesitation that India's engagement with the G7 and guest countries stands on its own. This is the second G7 summit that the PM attended. He attended in France in 2019. This is also the first time India has been engaged and ministerial and working-level tracks as a guest country. This is a significant engagement," the senior MEA official added.

"UK Prime Minister Johnson referred to the four guest countries and working-level tracks as forming a democratic level and many countries appreciated India's G7 engagement and PM Modi's interventions during sessions which found a great resonance in the gathering. So I can say that our engagement was fruitful, was productive and we hope to take forward our engagement in various initiatives including in the run-up to COP26," MEA Secretary P Harish added.

India has said that it will study the US President Joe Biden's 'Build Back Better' global infrastructure initiative proposal announced at the G7 summit as an alternative to China`s Belt and Road (BRI).

India has said that it will study the US President Joe Biden's 'Build Back Better' global infrastructure initiative proposal announced at the G7 summit as an alternative to China`s Belt and Road (BRI). This plan, which is proposed to be led by major democracies, will provide financial and technological help to narrow the over USD 40 trillion infrastructure need, mainly in the developing world which has been worsened by COVID-19. It is also expected to create local employment. This initiative at G7 is seen as a potential jolt to Chinese President Xi Jinping's pet project BRI. Also read | At G7, PM Modi highlights India's civilisational commitment to democracy India said relevant agencies will be studying the plan and will probably engage with the project later. Briefing reporters, senior ministry of external affairs (MEA) official P Harish said, "On the specific question of joining 'Build back better for the world', I can confirm that relevant agencies of the government of India would study them and would engage with them probably at the later stage. "China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is already facing criticism even by subscribing countries. Whether it is mounting debt, a lack of local employment or transparency, a lot of questions and red flags have been raised. While India refused to join the Chinese initiative and sees it as an infringement of its territorial integrity, neighbours Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka are part of the BRI. Also read | UK invites India to join G7 Health Ministers' Summit virtually At G7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the democratic countries to demonstrate to the world that they can implement projects in a more effective and transparent manner. According to a senior MEA official, "The PM has emphasised that democracies should demonstrate that in project implementation sphere we can deliver not only within the country but in other countries also. On this issue, the PM referred to India's experience that is in neighbouring countries, African countries and that in development framework partnership. The PM also indicated that India stands ready to do more in this regard keeping in view the ethos of transparency and inclusion. Also read | PM Modi's participation at G7 will be seamless, UK tells India "At G7, Prime Minister Modi also emphasised the need for open and democratic societies to work together and strengthen each other's hands to defend the values that they hold and to respond to challenges. When asked whether there was any discussion on the origin of COVID, the MEA official said "I can say that leaders of the G7 and guest countries had a very detailed and intense discussion on the need for reforming global health governance, I would like to emphasise in this regard that India has been actively engaged with the international community at the levels of G20, G7 and the World Health Assembly on various aspects related to dealing with the current pandemic, learning lessons and preparing for future pandemics. "The India-South Africa TRIPS waiver proposal also found widespread support at the G7 and the need to diversify technology transfer and financing for equitable vaccine distribution. MEA secretary P Harish said, "There was widespread support in the deliberation for text-based negotiations for India-South Africa proposal for TRIPS waiver at WTO. On the need to provide financial assistance to various manufacturers in the world was general agreement to increase its capacity, regional production hubs, providing financing, technology transfer and skill development in these regions." "I can say without hesitation that India's engagement with the G7 and guest countries stands on its own. This is the second G7 summit that the PM attended. He attended in France in 2019. This is also the first time India has been engaged and ministerial and working-level tracks as a guest country. This is a significant engagement," the senior MEA official added. "UK Prime Minister Johnson referred to the four guest countries and working-level tracks as forming a democratic level and many countries appreciated India's G7 engagement and PM Modi's interventions during sessions which found a great resonance in the gathering. So I can say that our engagement was fruitful, was productive and we hope to take forward our engagement in various initiatives including in the run-up to COP26," MEA Secretary P Harish added.

India says will study Biden's infrastructure plan that rivals China's Belt and Road Initiative

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Achieving what Trump couldn't, Biden celebrates rare win with US infrastructure bill signing

India says will study Biden's infrastructure plan that rivals China's Belt and Road Initiative