There's a new resident at the White House. On December 20, President Joe Biden introduced the world to a new pup who has joined his family. 
 
"Welcome to the White House, Commander," President Biden tweeted along with a photo of the adorable puppy running through the grass with a tennis ball in its mouth.&nbsp;

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Welcome to the White House, Commander. <a href="https://t.co/SUudQnPv29">pic.twitter.com/SUudQnPv29</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1473048795697012738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The president also shared a video welcoming the new pet ('hey, pal'). He is the third dog to move into the US President's residence at the White House. \

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Meet the newest Biden. <a href="https://t.co/JHAbH53iRk">pic.twitter.com/JHAbH53iRk</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1473057147017744390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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When Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden moved into the White House earlier this year, they brought along their two dogs, Champ and Major.&nbsp; 
 
The two dogs were the first canine residents in four years to have lived at the presidential residence and the very first time a rescue dog called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home. The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. 
 
Commander's joins the family six months after the death of the Bidens' German shepherd, Champ. Biden had announced his death on June 13 and called him a 'loving companion'. 
 
"Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," the president and first lady wrote in a joint statement at the time.

There's a new resident at the White House. On December 20, President Joe Biden introduced the world to a new pup who has joined his family. "Welcome to the White House, Commander," President Biden tweeted along with a photo of the adorable puppy running through the grass with a tennis ball in its mouth.

There's a new resident at the White House. On December 20, President Joe Biden introduced the world to a new pup who has joined his family. "Welcome to the White House, Commander," President Biden tweeted along with a photo of the adorable puppy running through the grass with a tennis ball in its mouth. Welcome to the White House, Commander. pic.twitter.com/SUudQnPv29 — President Biden (@POTUS) December 20, 2021 × The president also shared a video welcoming the new pet ('hey, pal'). He is the third dog to move into the US President's residence at the White House. \ Meet the newest Biden. pic.twitter.com/JHAbH53iRk — President Biden (@POTUS) December 20, 2021 × When Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden moved into the White House earlier this year, they brought along their two dogs, Champ and Major. The two dogs were the first canine residents in four years to have lived at the presidential residence and the very first time a rescue dog called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home. The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. The Bidens adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. Commander's joins the family six months after the death of the Bidens' German shepherd, Champ. Biden had announced his death on June 13 and called him a 'loving companion'. "Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family," the president and first lady wrote in a joint statement at the time.

Commander, the first pup! President Joe Biden welcomes new member to the White House 

A bid by the White House to dramatically boost electric vehicle tax credits hit a major roadblock on Sunday when a key Senate Democrat said he would not support a $1.75 trillion domestic investment bill.

White House's bid to dramatically boost electric vehicle tax credits hit setback

$1.75 Trillion Bill blocked in senate?

Democrats privately conceded Wednesday that they were all but certain to delay consideration of President Joe Biden’s $2.2 trillion social policy bill in the Senate until 2022, missing a self-imposed Christmas deadline as negotiations with a key centrist holdout, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, sputtered.

Private talks this week between Biden and Manchin, who is pushing to curtail the scope of the package and shrink its price tag, have failed to resolve crucial differences, according to White House officials and congressional aides. And leading Democrats have yet to complete work on the complex social safety net, climate and tax package.

Many White House aides have grown frustrated with the pace of the discussions, although still optimistic that the bill will pass next year. Administration officials had expressed confidence earlier this month that an agreement with Manchin was close, but their enthusiasm had faded by Wednesday, after two days of calls between Biden and the senator produced no breakthroughs.

Asked if the legislation could be finished this year, Biden told reporters Wednesday: “I hope so. It’s going to be close.”

Several administration officials said privately this week that they now expect the legislation, which passed the House earlier this year, to slip into next year, perhaps into the spring.

“It’s our long-standing rule not to discuss the specifics of private discussions with lawmakers, but the president and Sen. Manchin have had productive and friendly conversations,” said Andrew Bates, a White House spokesperson, who denied that Biden was frustrated with the process.

A senior administration official said White House aides continued to push hard to secure a deal on the legislation and predicted that Biden would ultimately find a way to pass the bill — as he did with an economic stimulus measure in March and a bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall.

While final decisions have not yet been made, party leaders have quietly backed away from their Christmas deadline in recent days. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate majority leader, said Wednesday that Democrats “continue working on getting the Senate into a position where we can vote on the president’s ‘Build Back Better’ legislation,” without a mention of the holiday or any timetable for doing so.

With hopes of a quick victory on the social policy bill fading, Democrats were weighing a renewed push to prioritize voting rights legislation, long stalled by Republican opposition, before the end of the year.

“I would like to see ‘Build Back Better’ dealt with as quickly as possible, but if we can’t deal with it right now, it’s far more important that we deal with the voting rights issue,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chair of the Budget Committee.

But the prospect of a delay frustrated liberal Democrats, who had already been wary that centrist Democrats would dash their ambitions for passage of the bill after shepherding through a bipartisan infrastructure measure.

It was a scenario that several Democrats had sought to avoid: that after allowing the infrastructure bill to pass and agreeing to substantially pare down their marquee domestic policy bill to appease Manchin and other centrists, they would come away empty-handed. With Republicans united in opposition to the package, Democrats cannot move forward in the evenly divided Senate without the support of all 50 lawmakers who caucus with them.

“I’m still hopeful that it will pass. I’m not going to have a post-mortem on something that hasn’t died,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at her weekly news conference. “I think we will have legislation and it will pass. I hope the sooner the better, especially since we had certain deadlines.”

The most notable dispute between Manchin and Biden, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions, remains a proposal to extend an expanded $300 monthly payment to families with children for another year. Manchin voted in March to expand the payments, a signature component of the $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill that has helped reduce child poverty, and Democrats hoped to expand the payments for another year.

One person briefed on the talks between Biden and Manchin said the senator had proposed outright eliminating the expanded payment, which would jeopardize the support of other liberal Democrats. Other officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose details of private conversations, said that Manchin had raised concerns about exacerbating inflation trends, the lack of a work requirement to qualify for the payments and additional costs should the subsidy be expanded beyond the current one-year timeline.

Manchin grew irritated Wednesday when pressed on whether he supported the expanded credits, offering a profane denial that he opposed the provision and dismissing what he called “bad rumors.”

The final payments of the year were sent to families Wednesday, and administration officials had cautioned that the extension needed to become law before the end of the month to avoid a lapse.

Outside of Manchin’s concerns, Democrats were still scrambling to finalize the legislation and resolve outstanding policy differences, including an unfinished compromise on raising the cap on state and local tax deductions.

Because the package is being muscled through Congress using the fast-track budget reconciliation process, which shields fiscal legislation from a filibuster, it is subject to strict rules governing what can be included. Democrats are still working feverishly to ensure that every provision can pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian. Guidance has yet to be issued on a number of key proposals, including immigration provisions, as Republicans seek to challenge their inclusion under the rules.

But Democrats have focused on Manchin, whose concerns have already prompted them to drop or modify several of the measure’s key components, including jettisoning anti-climate change provisions and dropping a federal paid and family medical leave benefit.

Having pushed for a lower price tag, he also repeatedly raised concerns about how the package would affect inflation and the economy.

“He has made some dramatic changes in this bill and its contents and its total,” Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat, told reporters earlier this week. “I’ve told him, ‘Joe, you’ve got your mark on this bill, now close the deal.’ I still feel that way.”

Democrats privately conceded Wednesday that they were all but certain to delay consideration of President Joe Biden’s $2.2 trillion social policy bill in the Senate until 2022, missing a self-imposed Christmas deadline as negotiations with a key centrist holdout, Sen.

Democrats privately conceded Wednesday that they were all but certain to delay consideration of President Joe Biden’s $2.2 trillion social policy bill in the Senate until 2022, missing a self-imposed Christmas deadline as negotiations with a key centrist holdout, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, sputtered. Private talks this week between Biden and Manchin, who is pushing to curtail the scope of the package and shrink its price tag, have failed to resolve crucial differences, according to White House officials and congressional aides. And leading Democrats have yet to complete work on the complex social safety net, climate and tax package. Many White House aides have grown frustrated with the pace of the discussions, although still optimistic that the bill will pass next year. Administration officials had expressed confidence earlier this month that an agreement with Manchin was close, but their enthusiasm had faded by Wednesday, after two days of calls between Biden and the senator produced no breakthroughs. Asked if the legislation could be finished this year, Biden told reporters Wednesday: “I hope so. It’s going to be close.” Several administration officials said privately this week that they now expect the legislation, which passed the House earlier this year, to slip into next year, perhaps into the spring. “It’s our long-standing rule not to discuss the specifics of private discussions with lawmakers, but the president and Sen. Manchin have had productive and friendly conversations,” said Andrew Bates, a White House spokesperson, who denied that Biden was frustrated with the process. A senior administration official said White House aides continued to push hard to secure a deal on the legislation and predicted that Biden would ultimately find a way to pass the bill — as he did with an economic stimulus measure in March and a bipartisan infrastructure bill this fall. While final decisions have not yet been made, party leaders have quietly backed away from their Christmas deadline in recent days. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate majority leader, said Wednesday that Democrats “continue working on getting the Senate into a position where we can vote on the president’s ‘Build Back Better’ legislation,” without a mention of the holiday or any timetable for doing so. With hopes of a quick victory on the social policy bill fading, Democrats were weighing a renewed push to prioritize voting rights legislation, long stalled by Republican opposition, before the end of the year. “I would like to see ‘Build Back Better’ dealt with as quickly as possible, but if we can’t deal with it right now, it’s far more important that we deal with the voting rights issue,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chair of the Budget Committee. But the prospect of a delay frustrated liberal Democrats, who had already been wary that centrist Democrats would dash their ambitions for passage of the bill after shepherding through a bipartisan infrastructure measure. It was a scenario that several Democrats had sought to avoid: that after allowing the infrastructure bill to pass and agreeing to substantially pare down their marquee domestic policy bill to appease Manchin and other centrists, they would come away empty-handed. With Republicans united in opposition to the package, Democrats cannot move forward in the evenly divided Senate without the support of all 50 lawmakers who caucus with them. “I’m still hopeful that it will pass. I’m not going to have a post-mortem on something that hasn’t died,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at her weekly news conference. “I think we will have legislation and it will pass. I hope the sooner the better, especially since we had certain deadlines.” The most notable dispute between Manchin and Biden, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions, remains a proposal to extend an expanded $300 monthly payment to families with children for another year. Manchin voted in March to expand the payments, a signature component of the $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill that has helped reduce child poverty, and Democrats hoped to expand the payments for another year. One person briefed on the talks between Biden and Manchin said the senator had proposed outright eliminating the expanded payment, which would jeopardize the support of other liberal Democrats. Other officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose details of private conversations, said that Manchin had raised concerns about exacerbating inflation trends, the lack of a work requirement to qualify for the payments and additional costs should the subsidy be expanded beyond the current one-year timeline. Manchin grew irritated Wednesday when pressed on whether he supported the expanded credits, offering a profane denial that he opposed the provision and dismissing what he called “bad rumors.” The final payments of the year were sent to families Wednesday, and administration officials had cautioned that the extension needed to become law before the end of the month to avoid a lapse. Outside of Manchin’s concerns, Democrats were still scrambling to finalize the legislation and resolve outstanding policy differences, including an unfinished compromise on raising the cap on state and local tax deductions. Because the package is being muscled through Congress using the fast-track budget reconciliation process, which shields fiscal legislation from a filibuster, it is subject to strict rules governing what can be included. Democrats are still working feverishly to ensure that every provision can pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian. Guidance has yet to be issued on a number of key proposals, including immigration provisions, as Republicans seek to challenge their inclusion under the rules. But Democrats have focused on Manchin, whose concerns have already prompted them to drop or modify several of the measure’s key components, including jettisoning anti-climate change provisions and dropping a federal paid and family medical leave benefit. Having pushed for a lower price tag, he also repeatedly raised concerns about how the package would affect inflation and the economy. “He has made some dramatic changes in this bill and its contents and its total,” Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat, told reporters earlier this week. “I’ve told him, ‘Joe, you’ve got your mark on this bill, now close the deal.’ I still feel that way.”

Democrats ready to punt social policy bill to 2022 as Manchin balks

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason.

By a nearly party-line vote of 220-208, the House approved the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would impose new curbs on executive power. Proponents of tighter government ethics have long sought many of the measures, and Republicans have supported them, but they have been recast as partisan issues because of their association with Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unicef-expresses-concern-over-reimplementation-of-trump-era-remain-in-mexico-policy-435815" hreflang="en">UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy</a>

“Disturbingly, the last administration saw our democracy in crisis with a rogue president who trampled over the guardrails protecting our Republic,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “Now, Congress has the solemn responsibility and opportunity to safeguard our democracy, ensuring that past abuses can never be perpetrated by any president of any party.”

The legislation would require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, which Trump refused to do.

The act would also strengthen the Constitution’s previously obscure ban on presidents taking emoluments, or payments, by extending the anti-corruption prohibition to commercial transactions. Trump’s refusal to divest from his hotels raised the question of whether lobbyists and other governments that began paying for numerous rooms at Trump resorts — and sometimes not using them — were trying to purchase his favour.

The bill would also require campaigns to report any offers of foreign assistance to the FBI — a proposal that resonates with episodes unearthed in the Russia investigation, such as when Donald Trump Jr. and other senior campaign officials met at Trump Tower with Russians they were told had dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-wins-appeal-over-extradition-of-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-435800" hreflang="en">United States wins appeal over extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange</a>

The package now moves to the Senate, where the 60-vote threshold for passing legislation means that Republicans can block it. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who managed his party’s side of the House debate, said there was “no apparent path for the bill in the Senate.”

But supporters of the bill envision breaking it up and attaching different components to other legislation in the Senate in a bid to regain bipartisan backing for elements that Republicans have supported in the past.

Among many other things, the bill would make it harder for presidents to bestow pardons in bribery like contexts. It would create new protections against firing inspectors general without a good reason or retaliating against whistleblowers. And it would constrain a president’s ability to spend or secretly freeze funds contrary to congressional appropriations.

It would also speed up lawsuits over congressional subpoenas so that stonewalling by the executive branch cannot run out the clock on oversight efforts; require the Justice Department to give Congress logs of contacts with White House officials; and strengthen the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in campaign politics at work.

The legislation’s path has also been slowed by uncertainty among Senate Democrats about the Biden administration’s support. The White House on Thursday morning issued a statement of administration policy that supported the bill, citing “the formidable, but essential, challenge of reinforcing the norms and safeguards that prevent our democracy from eroding.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/kamala-harris-never-uses-bluetooth-headphones-heres-why-435718" hreflang="en">Kamala Harris never uses bluetooth headphones. Here's why</a>

Ian Bassin a founder and the executive director of Protect Democracy, which supports the bill and worked with House Democrats on developing some of its provisions, praised the White House for supporting the legislation even though it would curb executive authority.

“The Biden administration deserves major credit here for doing something executives rarely do: agreeing to support legislative curbs on their own power,” Bassin said, adding: “Now that the White House has announced its support, it needs to work with the Senate promptly to enact these provisions.”

Still, the White House statement was not unqualified. It included a vague caveat that the administration would continue to work with Congress to ensure the bill would uphold “the long-standing interests of the executive branch that are essential to effective governance and efficient use of taxpayer resources and consistent with our constitutional structure” without specifying any particular provisions it had concerns about.

The White House had spent months negotiating with House Democrats, who dropped some of their original ideas in response to its constitutional or policy objections before introducing the package in September. But Democratic lawmakers insisted on keeping some provisions with which the administration had expressed concerns, according to people familiar with the matter, including making it harder for presidents to fire inspectors general.

Watch |&nbsp;President Joe Biden signs executive order to make US government carbon-neutral by 2050

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/president-joe-biden-signs-executive-order-to-make-us-government-carbon-neutral-by-2050-435816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Throughout a nearly four-hour debate on the bill and amendments, House Democrats portrayed its provisions as necessary to fix weaknesses in the American system of separation of powers that the Trump administration had exposed.

“Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of powers among the three branches,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the bill’s chief sponsor. “That system has throughout history been tested. And just as after Watergate, Congress worked to enact reforms, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them. That’s what this bill does.”

Republicans portrayed it as a partisan attack on Trump while oscillating between denouncing Trump-related investigations and raising other matters such as inflation, violent crime, illegal immigration, gas prices and voter fraud fears.

“This bill is nothing but a continuation of the Democrats’ obsession with President Trump,” said Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.

Democrats offered a muddled message about whether they wanted the bill to be seen as concerning Trump. They insisted at times that it was about the future, emphasizing that he was no longer president and that many elements of the bill had Republican support in other contexts.

“Joe Biden is our president now,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who managed her party’s side of the debate. She added: “And these bold, good government reforms will impact his administration, as well as future presidents of both parties. It is not about the past; it is about the future and the strengthening of our democracy.”

But Democrats also kept emphasising abuses of the Trump era — and lawmakers on both sides raised the possibility that he might run for president again. Interpreting the bill partly as a referendum on Trump’s actions proved to be an inescapable political reality.

“Setting aside the Democrats’ neurotic obsession with all things Donald Trump, this measure has many provisions that would receive bipartisan support if the bill’s author were so inclined,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason.

The House on Thursday passed a package of constraints on presidential power, which Democrats framed as a response to Donald Trump’s norm-busting presidency and Republicans unanimously opposed for the same reason. By a nearly party-line vote of 220-208, the House approved the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would impose new curbs on executive power. Proponents of tighter government ethics have long sought many of the measures, and Republicans have supported them, but they have been recast as partisan issues because of their association with Trump. Also read | UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy “Disturbingly, the last administration saw our democracy in crisis with a rogue president who trampled over the guardrails protecting our Republic,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “Now, Congress has the solemn responsibility and opportunity to safeguard our democracy, ensuring that past abuses can never be perpetrated by any president of any party.” The legislation would require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, which Trump refused to do. The act would also strengthen the Constitution’s previously obscure ban on presidents taking emoluments, or payments, by extending the anti-corruption prohibition to commercial transactions. Trump’s refusal to divest from his hotels raised the question of whether lobbyists and other governments that began paying for numerous rooms at Trump resorts — and sometimes not using them — were trying to purchase his favour. The bill would also require campaigns to report any offers of foreign assistance to the FBI — a proposal that resonates with episodes unearthed in the Russia investigation, such as when Donald Trump Jr. and other senior campaign officials met at Trump Tower with Russians they were told had dirt on Hillary Clinton. Also read | United States wins appeal over extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange The package now moves to the Senate, where the 60-vote threshold for passing legislation means that Republicans can block it. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who managed his party’s side of the House debate, said there was “no apparent path for the bill in the Senate.” But supporters of the bill envision breaking it up and attaching different components to other legislation in the Senate in a bid to regain bipartisan backing for elements that Republicans have supported in the past. Among many other things, the bill would make it harder for presidents to bestow pardons in bribery like contexts. It would create new protections against firing inspectors general without a good reason or retaliating against whistleblowers. And it would constrain a president’s ability to spend or secretly freeze funds contrary to congressional appropriations. It would also speed up lawsuits over congressional subpoenas so that stonewalling by the executive branch cannot run out the clock on oversight efforts; require the Justice Department to give Congress logs of contacts with White House officials; and strengthen the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in campaign politics at work. The legislation’s path has also been slowed by uncertainty among Senate Democrats about the Biden administration’s support. The White House on Thursday morning issued a statement of administration policy that supported the bill, citing “the formidable, but essential, challenge of reinforcing the norms and safeguards that prevent our democracy from eroding.” Also read | Kamala Harris never uses bluetooth headphones. Here's why Ian Bassin a founder and the executive director of Protect Democracy, which supports the bill and worked with House Democrats on developing some of its provisions, praised the White House for supporting the legislation even though it would curb executive authority. “The Biden administration deserves major credit here for doing something executives rarely do: agreeing to support legislative curbs on their own power,” Bassin said, adding: “Now that the White House has announced its support, it needs to work with the Senate promptly to enact these provisions.” Still, the White House statement was not unqualified. It included a vague caveat that the administration would continue to work with Congress to ensure the bill would uphold “the long-standing interests of the executive branch that are essential to effective governance and efficient use of taxpayer resources and consistent with our constitutional structure” without specifying any particular provisions it had concerns about. The White House had spent months negotiating with House Democrats, who dropped some of their original ideas in response to its constitutional or policy objections before introducing the package in September. But Democratic lawmakers insisted on keeping some provisions with which the administration had expressed concerns, according to people familiar with the matter, including making it harder for presidents to fire inspectors general. Watch | President Joe Biden signs executive order to make US government carbon-neutral by 2050 Throughout a nearly four-hour debate on the bill and amendments, House Democrats portrayed its provisions as necessary to fix weaknesses in the American system of separation of powers that the Trump administration had exposed. “Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of powers among the three branches,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the bill’s chief sponsor. “That system has throughout history been tested. And just as after Watergate, Congress worked to enact reforms, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them. That’s what this bill does.” Republicans portrayed it as a partisan attack on Trump while oscillating between denouncing Trump-related investigations and raising other matters such as inflation, violent crime, illegal immigration, gas prices and voter fraud fears. “This bill is nothing but a continuation of the Democrats’ obsession with President Trump,” said Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill. Democrats offered a muddled message about whether they wanted the bill to be seen as concerning Trump. They insisted at times that it was about the future, emphasizing that he was no longer president and that many elements of the bill had Republican support in other contexts. “Joe Biden is our president now,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who managed her party’s side of the debate. She added: “And these bold, good government reforms will impact his administration, as well as future presidents of both parties. It is not about the past; it is about the future and the strengthening of our democracy.” But Democrats also kept emphasising abuses of the Trump era — and lawmakers on both sides raised the possibility that he might run for president again. Interpreting the bill partly as a referendum on Trump’s actions proved to be an inescapable political reality. “Setting aside the Democrats’ neurotic obsession with all things Donald Trump, this measure has many provisions that would receive bipartisan support if the bill’s author were so inclined,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.

House approves post-Trump curbs on presidential power

On Thursday, Joe Biden will host representatives from more than 100 countries for a democracy summit that has drawn criticism from China and Russia.&nbsp;

The White House describes the event, which is taking place by video link due to the Coronavirus pandemic, as US leadership in the existential struggle between democracies and powerful autocracies or dictatorships.

"Make no mistake, we're at a moment of democratic reckoning," said Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forced-labour-us-house-passes-law-to-ban-imports-from-chinas-xinjiang-435293" hreflang="en">'Forced labour': US House passes law to ban imports from China's Xinjiang</a>

"It's no secret that democracies around the world are facing increasing challenges from new and novel threats. Countries in virtually every region of the world have experienced degrees of democratic backsliding."

United States sees the December 9 and 10 summit as a "galvanizing moment" for world democracies to address pressing challenges.

The two-day summit will be opened by President Biden at the White House and will bring together participants from over 100 countries, as well as NGOs, businesses, philanthropic organizations and legislators.

However, the fact that Biden continues to face shocking challenges to democratic norms from Donald Trump, who has attempted to throw out the 2020 election, poses a troubling backdrop to the summit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-threatens-russia-with-severe-sanctions-if-ukraine-is-attacked-435291" hreflang="en">Biden threatens Russia with 'severe sanctions' if Ukraine is attacked; US troops not to be involved</a>

Even before summit attendees could meet, tensions erupted over who should be included and excluded from the list.

In Biden's case, China and Russia, which he sees as the champions of autocracies, were left out, which they say is stoking an ideological rift.

"No country has the right to judge the world's vast and varied political landscape by a single yardstick," wrote ambassadors Anatoly Antonov of Russia and Qin Gang of China in a joint essay last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-achilles-heel-of-bidens-climate-plan-coal-miners-435265" hreflang="en">The Achilles’ heel of Biden’s climate plan? Coal miners.</a>

A further irritant to Chinese sensibilities is the Biden administration's invitation to Taiwan, a democratically-ruled island that mainland China considers a part of its territory, but does not yet control.

In addition, the absence of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, which are some of India's closest democratic neighbours, further reinforces China's view that the summit is intended to divide Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, Joe Biden will host representatives from more than 100 countries for a democracy summit that has drawn criticism from China and Russia. The White House describes the event, which is taking place by video link due to the Coronavirus pandemic, as US leadership in the existential struggle between democracies and powerful autocracies or dictatorships.

On Thursday, Joe Biden will host representatives from more than 100 countries for a democracy summit that has drawn criticism from China and Russia. The White House describes the event, which is taking place by video link due to the Coronavirus pandemic, as US leadership in the existential struggle between democracies and powerful autocracies or dictatorships. "Make no mistake, we're at a moment of democratic reckoning," said Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. Also read | 'Forced labour': US House passes law to ban imports from China's Xinjiang "It's no secret that democracies around the world are facing increasing challenges from new and novel threats. Countries in virtually every region of the world have experienced degrees of democratic backsliding." United States sees the December 9 and 10 summit as a "galvanizing moment" for world democracies to address pressing challenges. The two-day summit will be opened by President Biden at the White House and will bring together participants from over 100 countries, as well as NGOs, businesses, philanthropic organizations and legislators. However, the fact that Biden continues to face shocking challenges to democratic norms from Donald Trump, who has attempted to throw out the 2020 election, poses a troubling backdrop to the summit. Also read | Biden threatens Russia with 'severe sanctions' if Ukraine is attacked; US troops not to be involved Even before summit attendees could meet, tensions erupted over who should be included and excluded from the list. In Biden's case, China and Russia, which he sees as the champions of autocracies, were left out, which they say is stoking an ideological rift. "No country has the right to judge the world's vast and varied political landscape by a single yardstick," wrote ambassadors Anatoly Antonov of Russia and Qin Gang of China in a joint essay last month. Also read | The Achilles’ heel of Biden’s climate plan? Coal miners. A further irritant to Chinese sensibilities is the Biden administration's invitation to Taiwan, a democratically-ruled island that mainland China considers a part of its territory, but does not yet control. In addition, the absence of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, which are some of India's closest democratic neighbours, further reinforces China's view that the summit is intended to divide Asia. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden's Democracy Summit: 100+ nations invited, China & Russia see red after being left out

The world is facing a supply chain crisis and soaring inflation, the White House is re-living its Christmas spirits after it spent $139,000 on the Christmas tree.

United States: White House spends $139,000 on Christmas tree

US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have become the first couple to affix a mezuzah on executive home.

Emhoff took to Twitter to share pictures and wrote ''One of my favorite memories was when our family visited and together, we hung a mezuzah on the front door of the Vice President's Residence.''

A mezuzah is a piece of parchment called a klaf contained in a decorative case and inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vice-president-kamala-harris-becomes-us-president-for-a-brief-period-430604">Also read |&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris becomes US president for a 'brief period'</a>

It is attached in a case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith. Emhoff is the first Jew to reside in the vice presidential residence.

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In picture:&nbsp;Doug Emhoff can&nbsp;seen using a hammer to affix a mezuzah on the house of the second family/Twitter

According to Rabbi Peter Berg of Hebrew Benevolent Congregation (The Temple) in Atlanta, ''It's an extraordinary moment in United States history.''

''And it was one of the great honors of my lifetime to be able to stand there with the second family as they placed that mezuzah on their home for the very first time.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/underwater-polls-suggest-kamala-harris-least-popular-vice-president-since-1970s-402209">Also read |&nbsp;'Underwater': Polls suggest Kamala Harris least popular Vice President since 1970s</a>

Meanwhile, a White House official said ''He obviously recognizes the significance of being the first in this space and I think he's very honored to have the opportunity to help lead some of these really important and significant traditions.''

US President Joe Biden had briefly transferred power to Harris on Friday as he underwent a colonoscopy, making her the first woman to hold the presidential reins in American history.

Harris is the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States; no woman has ever been president in the country's nearly 250-year history.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have become the first couple to affix a mezuzah on executive home. Emhoff took to Twitter to share pictures and wrote ''One of my favorite memories was when our family visited and together, we hung a mezuzah on the front door of the Vice President's Residence.

US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have become the first couple to affix a mezuzah on executive home. Emhoff took to Twitter to share pictures and wrote ''One of my favorite memories was when our family visited and together, we hung a mezuzah on the front door of the Vice President's Residence.'' A mezuzah is a piece of parchment called a klaf contained in a decorative case and inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah. Also read | Vice President Kamala Harris becomes US president for a 'brief period' It is attached in a case to the doorpost of a Jewish house as a sign of faith. Emhoff is the first Jew to reside in the vice presidential residence. In picture: Doug Emhoff can seen using a hammer to affix a mezuzah on the house of the second family/Twitter According to Rabbi Peter Berg of Hebrew Benevolent Congregation (The Temple) in Atlanta, ''It's an extraordinary moment in United States history.'' ''And it was one of the great honors of my lifetime to be able to stand there with the second family as they placed that mezuzah on their home for the very first time.'' Also read | 'Underwater': Polls suggest Kamala Harris least popular Vice President since 1970s Meanwhile, a White House official said ''He obviously recognizes the significance of being the first in this space and I think he's very honored to have the opportunity to help lead some of these really important and significant traditions.'' US President Joe Biden had briefly transferred power to Harris on Friday as he underwent a colonoscopy, making her the first woman to hold the presidential reins in American history. Harris is the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States; no woman has ever been president in the country's nearly 250-year history. (With inputs from agencies)

Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff become first family to hang mezuzah on executive home

It is US President Joe Biden's birthday today and the 79-year-old has returned to his presidential duties. He went through an extensive routine check-up after which he was granted a clean bill of health from the White House.

US President Joe Biden returns to his presidential duties after an extensive routine check-up

House Democrats passed a large bill Friday that aims to curb climate change, fight poverty and invest in children, workers and families. How large? Probably about $2.2 trillion. But there’s a wide range of other estimates for the price tag, reflecting the difficulties in pinning a true “score” to a plan that has changed a lot over the past weeks and months.

Lawmakers, along with budget experts, haven’t settled on a headline number for the bill, which is now headed to the Senate after a Friday morning vote. That’s because they don’t agree on how to count up all the various programs that President Joe Biden and his party have stuffed into it.

Some are using $1.7 trillion, which is the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate for the bill’s total “direct spending.” The estimate is a useful measure, but not a complete one, because it leaves out some tax benefits that cost the government money, including ones meant to fight climate change.

Some are putting the price tag at as much as $2.5 trillion, a calculation that includes changes to the state and local tax deduction, and which is, for accounting reasons, a bit misleading.

Biden and his aides have said the bill costs nothing, because, by White House math, it would not add to the deficit over the course of a decade. But $0 is neither an accurate nor a useful way to convey the size of a sweeping piece of legislation that would build affordable housing, provide paid leave to workers, reduce child care costs, establish universal prekindergarten, cut taxes for parents, seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of measures and much more.

The simplest and best number to use when discussing the bill — and the one that is most consistent with the price tags that have been attached to earlier versions of it — is $2.2 trillion. That’s the total value of the new government spending programs in the legislation, plus the value of the new tax cuts it includes.

Is $2.2 trillion the new $1.85 trillion?

The New York Times had initially called the bill a $1.85 trillion package. That was a number Democrats attached to the “framework” for the legislation known as the Build Back Better Act that Biden announced late last month. But two things changed in recent days, causing us to recalculate.

First, House Democrats added several items to Biden’s framework, including a provision that would fund paid leave for workers. That made the package’s price tag bigger.

Then Thursday, the nonpartisan CBO released its official score of the bill. It’s an estimate of how much the spending programs and the tax cuts would cost the federal government, and how much money would be raised by the tax increases and spending cuts that Democrats are using as “pay-fors.” The CBO’s estimates differed from the administration’s in some important ways.

When you add up the CBO scores for all the spending and tax cuts in the bill — which is to say, all of the things Democrats say will benefit Americans — you get about $2.2 trillion.

How did the legislation grow to $2.2 trillion?

The short answer is: paid leave. That measure alone added more than $200 billion to the cost of the bill. A variety of other cost adjustments, like for the housing and immigration provisions in the plan as well as other spending additions, did the rest.

What about SALT?

This is a tricky one. The other big change from Biden’s framework in the House bill is a rejiggering of a limit on the deductions individuals can take on federal income tax forms for the state and local taxes they pay. It’s a measure that would largely help high earners in high-tax states like New Jersey and New York. But oddly enough, it doesn’t add to the bill’s official cost — mostly because the measure is an accounting move, meant to deliver more goodies to certain taxpayers in the short term while taking some benefits away later.

Republicans capped the state and local tax deduction, known as SALT, at $10,000 per household in 2017. Under that bill, the cap would go away in 2026, meaning an unlimited deduction would return. The Democrats’ plan would increase the cap to $80,000 per household for most of the decade before dropping it to $10,000 again in 2031. That means households taking advantage of the deduction would get a significant tax break for the next several years but a smaller one for the back half of the decade.

The budget office found that the change would essentially be a financial wash for the government, raising a bit more over the decade than the current system, since SALT currently maintains a higher cap all decade instead of allowing the cap to disappear in 2025.

Some groups, like the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington, have chosen to break off just the early-year benefits of the SALT change and add them to the total cost. The Times isn’t doing that, in order to stay consistent with how we add up the costs and benefits of the rest of the bill, which are measured across the full decade.

Is this how the cost of the 2017 tax cuts was measured?

Mechanically, yes. Practically, no.

With both the 2017 law and this bill, we’re trying to add up the cost of the parts of the legislation meant to benefit people and companies. That’s the “price tag.”

For former President Donald Trump’s cuts, most estimates initially used $1.5 trillion as the cost. This number reflected the amount of money Republicans added to the federal deficit as part of the budget process that allowed them to bypass a Democratic filibuster. It was a net calculation: The law actually had trillions of dollars in tax cuts, partially offset by trillions more in tax increases, but in many cases, they were meant to cancel each other out. For example, businesses got a lower corporate tax rate but had to pay a one-time tax on profits they were holding overseas and shielding from U.S. taxes. Individuals lost their personal exemptions but gained higher standard deductions.

Trump often bragged about the larger figure — the total amount of tax cuts, without factoring in the offsetting tax increases — but most analysts agreed that the effect on the economy was best measured by the gap between the total cuts and the total offsets. The CBO initially pegged that at $1.5 trillion, then increased the estimate to $1.9 trillion after accounting for interest payments on the borrowing needed to finance those cuts.

The Democratic bill is different. Its benefits are a mix of tax cuts and spending programs, which we are adding together. Those benefits are offset by what’s known as pay-fors — changes that add revenue. But even after taking those pay-fors into consideration, there are reasonable quibbles you could make over what should go in what category.

For example: We count an effort to reduce prescription drug costs as a pay-for, as do many Democrats, because it saves the government money. It also saves money for consumers, so you could argue it should go on the “benefits” side, but as a negative number, which would reduce the price tag to less than $2 trillion.

Will the price tag change when the bill goes to the Senate?

Yes. Senators are almost certain to amend the House bill, most likely to reduce its cost and bring it more in line with Biden’s framework. At least one centrist Democrat, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, has said he does not want the bill to cost more than $1.9 trillion. He also opposes the paid leave program. Other spending and tax cuts could also be curbed. If that happens, the cost of the bill will change again.

House Democrats passed a large bill Friday that aims to curb climate change, fight poverty and invest in children, workers and families. How large? Probably about $2.

House Democrats passed a large bill Friday that aims to curb climate change, fight poverty and invest in children, workers and families. How large? Probably about $2.2 trillion. But there’s a wide range of other estimates for the price tag, reflecting the difficulties in pinning a true “score” to a plan that has changed a lot over the past weeks and months. Lawmakers, along with budget experts, haven’t settled on a headline number for the bill, which is now headed to the Senate after a Friday morning vote. That’s because they don’t agree on how to count up all the various programs that President Joe Biden and his party have stuffed into it. Some are using $1.7 trillion, which is the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate for the bill’s total “direct spending.” The estimate is a useful measure, but not a complete one, because it leaves out some tax benefits that cost the government money, including ones meant to fight climate change. Some are putting the price tag at as much as $2.5 trillion, a calculation that includes changes to the state and local tax deduction, and which is, for accounting reasons, a bit misleading. Biden and his aides have said the bill costs nothing, because, by White House math, it would not add to the deficit over the course of a decade. But $0 is neither an accurate nor a useful way to convey the size of a sweeping piece of legislation that would build affordable housing, provide paid leave to workers, reduce child care costs, establish universal prekindergarten, cut taxes for parents, seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of measures and much more. The simplest and best number to use when discussing the bill — and the one that is most consistent with the price tags that have been attached to earlier versions of it — is $2.2 trillion. That’s the total value of the new government spending programs in the legislation, plus the value of the new tax cuts it includes. Is $2.2 trillion the new $1.85 trillion? The New York Times had initially called the bill a $1.85 trillion package. That was a number Democrats attached to the “framework” for the legislation known as the Build Back Better Act that Biden announced late last month. But two things changed in recent days, causing us to recalculate. First, House Democrats added several items to Biden’s framework, including a provision that would fund paid leave for workers. That made the package’s price tag bigger. Then Thursday, the nonpartisan CBO released its official score of the bill. It’s an estimate of how much the spending programs and the tax cuts would cost the federal government, and how much money would be raised by the tax increases and spending cuts that Democrats are using as “pay-fors.” The CBO’s estimates differed from the administration’s in some important ways. When you add up the CBO scores for all the spending and tax cuts in the bill — which is to say, all of the things Democrats say will benefit Americans — you get about $2.2 trillion. How did the legislation grow to $2.2 trillion? The short answer is: paid leave. That measure alone added more than $200 billion to the cost of the bill. A variety of other cost adjustments, like for the housing and immigration provisions in the plan as well as other spending additions, did the rest. What about SALT? This is a tricky one. The other big change from Biden’s framework in the House bill is a rejiggering of a limit on the deductions individuals can take on federal income tax forms for the state and local taxes they pay. It’s a measure that would largely help high earners in high-tax states like New Jersey and New York. But oddly enough, it doesn’t add to the bill’s official cost — mostly because the measure is an accounting move, meant to deliver more goodies to certain taxpayers in the short term while taking some benefits away later. Republicans capped the state and local tax deduction, known as SALT, at $10,000 per household in 2017. Under that bill, the cap would go away in 2026, meaning an unlimited deduction would return. The Democrats’ plan would increase the cap to $80,000 per household for most of the decade before dropping it to $10,000 again in 2031. That means households taking advantage of the deduction would get a significant tax break for the next several years but a smaller one for the back half of the decade. The budget office found that the change would essentially be a financial wash for the government, raising a bit more over the decade than the current system, since SALT currently maintains a higher cap all decade instead of allowing the cap to disappear in 2025. Some groups, like the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington, have chosen to break off just the early-year benefits of the SALT change and add them to the total cost. The Times isn’t doing that, in order to stay consistent with how we add up the costs and benefits of the rest of the bill, which are measured across the full decade. Is this how the cost of the 2017 tax cuts was measured? Mechanically, yes. Practically, no. With both the 2017 law and this bill, we’re trying to add up the cost of the parts of the legislation meant to benefit people and companies. That’s the “price tag.” For former President Donald Trump’s cuts, most estimates initially used $1.5 trillion as the cost. This number reflected the amount of money Republicans added to the federal deficit as part of the budget process that allowed them to bypass a Democratic filibuster. It was a net calculation: The law actually had trillions of dollars in tax cuts, partially offset by trillions more in tax increases, but in many cases, they were meant to cancel each other out. For example, businesses got a lower corporate tax rate but had to pay a one-time tax on profits they were holding overseas and shielding from U.S. taxes. Individuals lost their personal exemptions but gained higher standard deductions. Trump often bragged about the larger figure — the total amount of tax cuts, without factoring in the offsetting tax increases — but most analysts agreed that the effect on the economy was best measured by the gap between the total cuts and the total offsets. The CBO initially pegged that at $1.5 trillion, then increased the estimate to $1.9 trillion after accounting for interest payments on the borrowing needed to finance those cuts. The Democratic bill is different. Its benefits are a mix of tax cuts and spending programs, which we are adding together. Those benefits are offset by what’s known as pay-fors — changes that add revenue. But even after taking those pay-fors into consideration, there are reasonable quibbles you could make over what should go in what category. For example: We count an effort to reduce prescription drug costs as a pay-for, as do many Democrats, because it saves the government money. It also saves money for consumers, so you could argue it should go on the “benefits” side, but as a negative number, which would reduce the price tag to less than $2 trillion. Will the price tag change when the bill goes to the Senate? Yes. Senators are almost certain to amend the House bill, most likely to reduce its cost and bring it more in line with Biden’s framework. At least one centrist Democrat, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, has said he does not want the bill to cost more than $1.9 trillion. He also opposes the paid leave program. Other spending and tax cuts could also be curbed. If that happens, the cost of the bill will change again.

How much does Biden’s spending bill actually cost?

The US and China agreed to continue dialogue on managing “strategic stability” on issues such as Taiwan, nuclear arms control, and cybersecurity. But as Voice of America White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports, the fundamentally contentious nature of the US-China relationship is unlikely to change.

WION-VOA Co-Production: Joe Biden meets with Xi Jinping virtually

For long, speculation has been rife on whether Kamala Harris, America's first woman Vice President was fit for her role at the White House. In Washington's highest corridors of power her focus, drive and overall competence for the key position was clouded by doubt. In the latest,CNN has come out with an exhaustive piece detailing Washington's lack of confidence in Kamala Harris' leadership.

Does Washington doubt Kamala Harris' leadership?

Former US President Donald Trump's effort to keep White House records, regarding the January 6 capitol riot has suffered a setback.

Trying to halt the&nbsp;release of the documents, Trump had said he had&nbsp;executive privilege to keep the communications and visitor logs related to that day under seal as a&nbsp;a former president.

The congressional committee probing the deadly assault on the Capitol said it had issued subpoenas seeking documents and testimony from more associates of Trump, including senior adviser Stephen Miller, former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and other White House aides.

On January 6, hundreds of Trump supporters forced the shutdown of Congress after they forcefully entered the Capitol.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/son-of-a-donald-trump-slams-republican-leaders-during-dinner-at-mar-a-lago-club-376769">Also read |&nbsp;'Son of a...': Donald Trump slams Republican leaders during dinner at Mar-a-Lago Club</a>

''We need to know precisely what role the former President and his aides played in efforts to stop the counting of the electoral votes and if they were in touch with anyone outside the White House attempting to overturn the outcome of the election,'' said US &nbsp;Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the select committee.

Documents that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;hoped to block include records from his top aides and memos to his press secretary, according to a court document published in October.

The more than 770 pages include records of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former senior advisor Stephen Miller and his former deputy counsel Patrick Philbin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/casino-formerly-owned-by-donald-trump-demolished-364418">Also read |&nbsp;Casino formerly owned by Donald Trump demolished</a>

Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich wrote on Twitter that "Pres. Trump remains committed to defending the Constitution &amp; the Office of the Presidency, &amp; will be seeing this process through," while asserting that the matter of executive privilege "was destined to be decided by the Appellate Courts."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The battle to defend Executive Privilege for Presidents past, present &amp; future—from its outset—was destined to be decided by the Appellate Courts. Pres. Trump remains committed to defending the Constitution &amp; the Office of the Presidency, &amp; will be seeing this process through.
— Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TayFromCA/status/1458267205037031429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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According to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, ''Trump's position that he may override the express will of the executive branch appears to be premised on the notion that his executive power 'exists in perpetuity. But Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not President.''

The Capitol riot was the worst attack on the seat of the US government since the War of 1812 and the only time power in the United States has not been transferred peacefully.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US President Donald Trump's effort to keep White House records, regarding the January 6 capitol riot has suffered a setback. Trying to halt the release of the documents, Trump had said he had executive privilege to keep the communications and visitor logs related to that day under seal as a a former president.

Former US President Donald Trump's effort to keep White House records, regarding the January 6 capitol riot has suffered a setback. Trying to halt the release of the documents, Trump had said he had executive privilege to keep the communications and visitor logs related to that day under seal as a a former president. The congressional committee probing the deadly assault on the Capitol said it had issued subpoenas seeking documents and testimony from more associates of Trump, including senior adviser Stephen Miller, former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and other White House aides. On January 6, hundreds of Trump supporters forced the shutdown of Congress after they forcefully entered the Capitol. Also read | 'Son of a...': Donald Trump slams Republican leaders during dinner at Mar-a-Lago Club ''We need to know precisely what role the former President and his aides played in efforts to stop the counting of the electoral votes and if they were in touch with anyone outside the White House attempting to overturn the outcome of the election,'' said US Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the select committee. Documents that Trump hoped to block include records from his top aides and memos to his press secretary, according to a court document published in October. The more than 770 pages include records of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former senior advisor Stephen Miller and his former deputy counsel Patrick Philbin. Also read | Casino formerly owned by Donald Trump demolished Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich wrote on Twitter that "Pres. Trump remains committed to defending the Constitution & the Office of the Presidency, & will be seeing this process through," while asserting that the matter of executive privilege "was destined to be decided by the Appellate Courts." The battle to defend Executive Privilege for Presidents past, present & future—from its outset—was destined to be decided by the Appellate Courts. Pres. Trump remains committed to defending the Constitution & the Office of the Presidency, & will be seeing this process through. — Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) November 10, 2021 × According to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, ''Trump's position that he may override the express will of the executive branch appears to be premised on the notion that his executive power 'exists in perpetuity. But Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not President.'' The Capitol riot was the worst attack on the seat of the US government since the War of 1812 and the only time power in the United States has not been transferred peacefully. (With inputs from agencies)

US judge orders release of White House records that could implicate Donald Trump in Capitol riot

Revealing why White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki did not accompany US President Joe Biden on the foreign trip, she on Sunday said that could not go as had contracted COVID-19. &nbsp;

Psaki also said that a family member had tested positive for the coronavirus, and her report also came positive later.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-biden-expresses-disappointment-at-china-and-russias-absence-425707" hreflang="en">G20 Summit: Biden expresses ‘disappointment’ at China and Russia’s absence</a>

In a statement on Sunday, she wrote, "Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms, which has enabled me to continue working from home.

"I will plan to return to work in person at the conclusion of the 10-day quarantine following a negative rapid test, which is an additional White House requirement, beyond CDC guidance, taken out of an abundance of caution,"&nbsp;Psaki added.&nbsp;

The development is the Biden administration’s most high-profile breakthrough coronavirus infection. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scary-news-on-halloween-new-poll-says-americans-lose-confidence-in-us-president-joe-biden-425695" hreflang="en">‘Scary News' on Halloween? New poll says Americans lose confidence in US President Joe Biden</a>

The government has been grappling with public health messaging and vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic. &nbsp;

Psaki said, "On Wednesday, in coordination with senior leadership at the White House and the medical team, I made the decision not to travel on the foreign trip with the president due to a family emergency, which was members of my household testing positive for COVID-19.

"Since then, I have quarantined and tested negative (via PCR) for Covid on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, today, I tested positive for Covid,"&nbsp;she added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Revealing why White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki did not accompany US President Joe Biden on the foreign trip, she on Sunday said that could not go as had contracted COVID-19.

Revealing why White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki did not accompany US President Joe Biden on the foreign trip, she on Sunday said that could not go as had contracted COVID-19. Psaki also said that a family member had tested positive for the coronavirus, and her report also came positive later. Also Read | G20 Summit: Biden expresses ‘disappointment’ at China and Russia’s absence In a statement on Sunday, she wrote, "Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms, which has enabled me to continue working from home. "I will plan to return to work in person at the conclusion of the 10-day quarantine following a negative rapid test, which is an additional White House requirement, beyond CDC guidance, taken out of an abundance of caution," Psaki added. The development is the Biden administration’s most high-profile breakthrough coronavirus infection. Also Read: ‘Scary News' on Halloween? New poll says Americans lose confidence in US President Joe Biden The government has been grappling with public health messaging and vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic. Psaki said, "On Wednesday, in coordination with senior leadership at the White House and the medical team, I made the decision not to travel on the foreign trip with the president due to a family emergency, which was members of my household testing positive for COVID-19. "Since then, I have quarantined and tested negative (via PCR) for Covid on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, today, I tested positive for Covid," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tests positive for COVID-19 in US

Joe Biden will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and discuss new initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership with the bloc.

''The United States is committed to an "enduring" commitment to ASEAN's central role in regional affairs,'' as per a statement issued by the White House.

''As we work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic, address the climate crisis, promote economic growth, and address a range of other regional challenges and opportunities," it added.

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This is the first time in four years a US president is participating in the summit as Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, attended an ASEAN-US meeting in Manila in 2017.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-needs-to-diversify-the-feds-leadership-423977" hreflang="en">Biden needs to diversify the fed’s leadership</a>

The move is being considered as a pushback against China by Biden. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir are also going to attend the three-day&nbsp;virtual gathering.

Beijing is investing heavily in South Asian countries under the disguise of improving its global trade reach for its Belt and Road plan but these countries have become mired in a Chinese debt trap.

US-China tensions have mounted and Beijing has stepped up military activity near Taiwan, the self-ruling US-aligned democracy that Beijing considers a province awaiting reunification.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-committed-to-asean-peace-plan-says-it-is-ready-to-cooperate-423561" hreflang="en">Myanmar committed to ASEAN peace plan, says it is ready to cooperate</a>

Biden's administration has described Beijing as his country's top long-term challenge and raised pressure on concerns from human rights to trade.

Prior to the ASEAN summit, senior director for East Asia at the White House National Security Council, Edgard Kagan said that Washington does not see the Quad as "an Asian NATO" and that it was not intended to compete with ASEAN.

Referring to China's &nbsp;broad claims in the disputed South China Sea, he said Washington has an interest in working with ASEAN to ensure supply-chain resilience, on climate, and to address ''common challenges on maritime issues.''

Coup-hit Myanmar's bloody crisis will take centre stage at a Southeast Asian summit that the country's junta chief has been barred from attending, as international pressure mounts on the military regime.

Joe Biden will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and discuss new initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership with the bloc.

Joe Biden will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and discuss new initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership with the bloc. ''The United States is committed to an "enduring" commitment to ASEAN's central role in regional affairs,'' as per a statement issued by the White House. ''As we work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic, address the climate crisis, promote economic growth, and address a range of other regional challenges and opportunities," it added. This is the first time in four years a US president is participating in the summit as Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, attended an ASEAN-US meeting in Manila in 2017. Also read | Biden needs to diversify the fed’s leadership The move is being considered as a pushback against China by Biden. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir are also going to attend the three-day virtual gathering. Beijing is investing heavily in South Asian countries under the disguise of improving its global trade reach for its Belt and Road plan but these countries have become mired in a Chinese debt trap. US-China tensions have mounted and Beijing has stepped up military activity near Taiwan, the self-ruling US-aligned democracy that Beijing considers a province awaiting reunification. Also read | Myanmar committed to ASEAN peace plan, says it is ready to cooperate Biden's administration has described Beijing as his country's top long-term challenge and raised pressure on concerns from human rights to trade. Prior to the ASEAN summit, senior director for East Asia at the White House National Security Council, Edgard Kagan said that Washington does not see the Quad as "an Asian NATO" and that it was not intended to compete with ASEAN. Referring to China's broad claims in the disputed South China Sea, he said Washington has an interest in working with ASEAN to ensure supply-chain resilience, on climate, and to address ''common challenges on maritime issues.'' Coup-hit Myanmar's bloody crisis will take centre stage at a Southeast Asian summit that the country's junta chief has been barred from attending, as international pressure mounts on the military regime.

US President Joe Biden to take part in ASEAN summit, strengthen partnership with bloc

Neera Tanden, who currently serves as a senior advisory to US President Joe Biden, has been appointed as the White House staff secretary.<o:p></o:p>

As per a senior White House official, quoted by the Washington Post, Tanden was appointed as Biden’s staff secretary on a morning staff call on Friday.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-american-policy-expert-neera-tanden-appointed-white-house-senior-adviser-385209">Neera Tanden appointed White House senior adviser</a></o:p>

She will now be replacing Jessica Hertz who had recently announced that she will soon be stepping down from her role.<o:p></o:p>

Tanden will continue performing her duties of a senior advisor and "will continue to provide leadership on particular projects and initiatives, and will report to the chief of staff," a source was quoted by local media houses.<o:p></o:p>

Her appointment comes a few months after her nomination was pulled off by the White House due to some posts from her past in which she had passed critical comments on lawmakers on both sides.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-sends-strong-message-to-china-defends-taiwans-stance-423057">WATCH |</a></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-sends-strong-message-to-china-defends-taiwans-stance-423057/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

She was originally nominated to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget, but she had to withdraw her nomination soon after as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. raised voices against her.<o:p></o:p>

"I appreciate how hard you and your team at the White House has worked to win my confirmation. Unfortunately, it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation, and I do not want continued consideration of my nomination to be a distraction from your other priorities," Tanden had written to Biden in March 2021.<o:p></o:p>

Neera Tanden, who currently serves as a senior advisory to US President Joe Biden, has been appointed as the White House staff secretary. As per a senior White House official, quoted by the Washington Post, Tanden was appointed as Biden’s staff secretary on a morning staff call on Friday.

Neera Tanden, who currently serves as a senior advisory to US President Joe Biden, has been appointed as the White House staff secretary. As per a senior White House official, quoted by the Washington Post, Tanden was appointed as Biden’s staff secretary on a morning staff call on Friday. Also read | Neera Tanden appointed White House senior adviser She will now be replacing Jessica Hertz who had recently announced that she will soon be stepping down from her role. Tanden will continue performing her duties of a senior advisor and "will continue to provide leadership on particular projects and initiatives, and will report to the chief of staff," a source was quoted by local media houses. Her appointment comes a few months after her nomination was pulled off by the White House due to some posts from her past in which she had passed critical comments on lawmakers on both sides. WATCH | She was originally nominated to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget, but she had to withdraw her nomination soon after as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. raised voices against her. "I appreciate how hard you and your team at the White House has worked to win my confirmation. Unfortunately, it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation, and I do not want continued consideration of my nomination to be a distraction from your other priorities," Tanden had written to Biden in March 2021.

Indian-American Neera Tanden appointed Biden's staff secretary: Reports

After months of Covid-related regulations, the Biden administration has decided to allow travellers back into the country.<o:p></o:p>

White House announced on Friday that it will now allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers to enter the US border, by land and air.<o:p></o:p>

The entry will be allowed from November 08. "This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent," tweeted White House assistant press secretary Kevin Munoz.

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The US’ new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travelers to the United States will begin on Nov 8. This announcement and date applies to both international air travel and land travel. This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent. <a href="https://t.co/uaDiVrjtqi">https://t.co/uaDiVrjtqi</a>
— Kevin Munoz (@KMunoz46) <a href="https://twitter.com/KMunoz46/status/1448994395957641241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This announcement has come a little after the Biden administration announced that all fully vaccinated visitors from Canada and Mexico will be allowed to enter the US from November.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

The US has been one of the few countries who have had entry restrictions in place since the pandemic began. Now, after nearly 18 months of border closure, the country is set to welcome foreign travellers back into the country.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-cases-among-children-peaked-in-september-shows-data-421035">US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data</a></o:p>

While the entry restriction has been lifted, incoming travellers will still be asked to undergo contact tracing and testing to enter the US borders.

<o:p>This order is expected to bring some relief to the suffering tourism industry. As the US closed its borders to foreign tourists in March 2020, the country's tourism industry has been struggling to stay afloat. This has also led to&nbsp;personal and economic suffering of the nation.</o:p>

As per the new rules, all air passengers will have to get tested for Covid three days before their arrival and a contact tracing system will be put in place by concerned airlines. It is also believed that all passengers coming for 'non-essential' reasons will be asked to be fully vaccinated. However, people entering the US for 'essential' reasons can enter unvaccinated.

These rules will be altered by January 2022, as per which all incoming travellers will have to be fully vaccinated, be it essential or non-essential trip.

After months of Covid-related regulations, the Biden administration has decided to allow travellers back into the country. White House announced on Friday that it will now allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers to enter the US border, by land and air.

After months of Covid-related regulations, the Biden administration has decided to allow travellers back into the country. White House announced on Friday that it will now allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers to enter the US border, by land and air. The entry will be allowed from November 08. "This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent," tweeted White House assistant press secretary Kevin Munoz. The US’ new travel policy that requires vaccination for foreign national travelers to the United States will begin on Nov 8. This announcement and date applies to both international air travel and land travel. This policy is guided by public health, stringent, and consistent. https://t.co/uaDiVrjtqi — Kevin Munoz (@KMunoz46) October 15, 2021 × This announcement has come a little after the Biden administration announced that all fully vaccinated visitors from Canada and Mexico will be allowed to enter the US from November. The US has been one of the few countries who have had entry restrictions in place since the pandemic began. Now, after nearly 18 months of border closure, the country is set to welcome foreign travellers back into the country. Also read | US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data While the entry restriction has been lifted, incoming travellers will still be asked to undergo contact tracing and testing to enter the US borders. This order is expected to bring some relief to the suffering tourism industry. As the US closed its borders to foreign tourists in March 2020, the country's tourism industry has been struggling to stay afloat. This has also led to personal and economic suffering of the nation. As per the new rules, all air passengers will have to get tested for Covid three days before their arrival and a contact tracing system will be put in place by concerned airlines. It is also believed that all passengers coming for 'non-essential' reasons will be asked to be fully vaccinated. However, people entering the US for 'essential' reasons can enter unvaccinated. These rules will be altered by January 2022, as per which all incoming travellers will have to be fully vaccinated, be it essential or non-essential trip.

US to allow fully vaccinated travellers from November 8: White House

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has attributed a series of tough poll results for President Biden on the nation's inability to overcome the deadly coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

As per a report by The Hill, Psaki said that this is a really tough time in the US. "We’re still battling COVID, and a lot of people thought we’d be through it, including us," said Psaki.&nbsp;

She further added, "And because of the rise of the delta variant, because of the fact that even though it was a vaccine approved under a Republican administration, even though we now have full FDA approval, and even though it’s widely available across the country, we still have 20 per cent of the country who have decided not to get vaccinated."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-iowa-rally-trump-slams-bidens-socialist-spending-package-419661">Also read |&nbsp;At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package</a>

"No question that’s having an impact. And of course as the president has said, the buck stops with him," Psaki said. "That’s far and away the biggest issue in the minds of the American people, and it's impacting a lot of issues."

A RealClearPolitics average showed Biden's approval rating at 43 per cent, which was down from 51 per cent in early August. 
While speaking about the pandemic, Psaki said that the White House is focused on the big picture of getting life back to something similar to pre-pandemic normal.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has attributed a series of tough poll results for President Biden on the nation's inability to overcome the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has attributed a series of tough poll results for President Biden on the nation's inability to overcome the deadly coronavirus pandemic. As per a report by The Hill, Psaki said that this is a really tough time in the US. "We’re still battling COVID, and a lot of people thought we’d be through it, including us," said Psaki. She further added, "And because of the rise of the delta variant, because of the fact that even though it was a vaccine approved under a Republican administration, even though we now have full FDA approval, and even though it’s widely available across the country, we still have 20 per cent of the country who have decided not to get vaccinated." Also read | At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package "No question that’s having an impact. And of course as the president has said, the buck stops with him," Psaki said. "That’s far and away the biggest issue in the minds of the American people, and it's impacting a lot of issues." A RealClearPolitics average showed Biden's approval rating at 43 per cent, which was down from 51 per cent in early August. While speaking about the pandemic, Psaki said that the White House is focused on the big picture of getting life back to something similar to pre-pandemic normal.

White House links Biden's bad polling on the nation's inability to overcome COVID-19

The White House on Monday said a near-simultaneous release of a top Huawei (HWT.UL) executive and two Canadians detained shortly after her arrest was not a prisoner swap, but that their cases came up in a call between the Chinese and American presidents weeks before. Watch this report for more details.

White House rebuts idea that Huawei's Meng was freed in prisoner swap

US President Joe Biden's statements slapping at US media for asking questions that aren't 'on topic' in front of a foreign head of state were defended by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who said his words weren't meant as a 'hard cut' on them.

Jen Psaki was grilled by the media on Monday about Biden's remarks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he advised his counterpart not to answer questions and appeared to attack US journalists.&nbsp; 
 
IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indian-pm-modi-us-president-joe-biden-hold-first-in-person-meet-in-white-house-ahead-of-quad-leaders-summit-415651">PM Modi, US President Joe Biden hold first in person meet in White House</a>

"I think what he said is that they’re not always "on point." Now, I know that it isn’t something that anyone wants to hear here. But what I think he was conveying is, you know, today, he might want to talk about Covid vaccines; some of the questions were about that. He might want to talk about something else, and some of the questions are not always about the topic he’s talking about that day, " Psaki said.

"I don’t think it was meant to be a hard cut at the members of the media – people he has taken questions from today and on Friday as well," she said. 
 
What exactly happened:

While sitting in the Oval Office with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24, President Biden took a jab at the American press.

"The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press.I think, with your permission, you could not answer questions because they won’t ask any questions on point," Biden began on Friday as they sat down. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-indian-pm-narendra-modi-receives-warm-welcome-by-joe-biden-video-wins-hearts-415646">Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts</a>

According to Reporters Without Borders, India is ranked 142nd in the world when it comes to press freedom, and the US is ranked 44th in the world.

To this, Psaki said, "I would just say to you that having now worked for the President, serving in this role for nine months, having seen that he's taking questions from the press more than 140 times, that he certainly respects the role of the press, the freedom of the free press."

"We ensure that we have a press with us, of course, when we travel; that we have a press with us for sprays in foreign capitals; and we will continue to. And I think that should speak to his commitment to freedom of the press around the world, " she said. 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-ts-indian-pm-narendra-modi-redefines-contours-of-ties-at-summit-with-us-president-joe-biden-415677">'5 Ts': Indian PM Narendra Modi redefines contours of ties at summit with US president Joe Biden</a>

In the past, Biden has lauded the importance of reporters and journalism, but he has also expressed dissatisfaction with the coverage of him and his administration, as well as the questions he is asked while interacting with the press.

Biden was sitting in the Oval Office with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in late July when NBC's Kelly O'Donnell questioned him about Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough's declaration that frontline VA personnel would have to undergo Covid-19 vaccines.

"You are such a pain in the neck," Biden replied, smiling, "but I'm going to answer your question because we've known each other for so long."&nbsp;

"It has nothing to do with Iraq … I’ll answer your question. Yes, Veteran Affairs is going to, in fact, require that all doctors working in their facilities are going to have to be vaccinated," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden's statements slapping at US media for asking questions that aren't 'on topic' in front of a foreign head of state were defended by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who said his words weren't meant as a 'hard cut' on them.

US President Joe Biden's statements slapping at US media for asking questions that aren't 'on topic' in front of a foreign head of state were defended by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, who said his words weren't meant as a 'hard cut' on them. Jen Psaki was grilled by the media on Monday about Biden's remarks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he advised his counterpart not to answer questions and appeared to attack US journalists. IN PICS | PM Modi, US President Joe Biden hold first in person meet in White House "I think what he said is that they’re not always "on point." Now, I know that it isn’t something that anyone wants to hear here. But what I think he was conveying is, you know, today, he might want to talk about Covid vaccines; some of the questions were about that. He might want to talk about something else, and some of the questions are not always about the topic he’s talking about that day, " Psaki said. "I don’t think it was meant to be a hard cut at the members of the media – people he has taken questions from today and on Friday as well," she said. What exactly happened: While sitting in the Oval Office with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24, President Biden took a jab at the American press. "The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press.I think, with your permission, you could not answer questions because they won’t ask any questions on point," Biden began on Friday as they sat down. Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts According to Reporters Without Borders, India is ranked 142nd in the world when it comes to press freedom, and the US is ranked 44th in the world. To this, Psaki said, "I would just say to you that having now worked for the President, serving in this role for nine months, having seen that he's taking questions from the press more than 140 times, that he certainly respects the role of the press, the freedom of the free press." "We ensure that we have a press with us, of course, when we travel; that we have a press with us for sprays in foreign capitals; and we will continue to. And I think that should speak to his commitment to freedom of the press around the world, " she said. ALSO READ | '5 Ts': Indian PM Narendra Modi redefines contours of ties at summit with US president Joe Biden In the past, Biden has lauded the importance of reporters and journalism, but he has also expressed dissatisfaction with the coverage of him and his administration, as well as the questions he is asked while interacting with the press. Biden was sitting in the Oval Office with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in late July when NBC's Kelly O'Donnell questioned him about Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough's declaration that frontline VA personnel would have to undergo Covid-19 vaccines. "You are such a pain in the neck," Biden replied, smiling, "but I'm going to answer your question because we've known each other for so long." "It has nothing to do with Iraq … I’ll answer your question. Yes, Veteran Affairs is going to, in fact, require that all doctors working in their facilities are going to have to be vaccinated," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

'Indian media is 'better behaved' than the US': White House defends Biden's statement

From 1994 visit to UNGA 2021, here's a look at Modi's US visits

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden on Friday (September 24) held their first bilateral in-person meeting since the latter assumed office.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden on Friday (September 24) held their first bilateral in-person meeting since the latter assumed office. During the meeting, which took place at the Oval Office in the White House, both the leaders discussed progress in ties and issues related to trade, COVID-19, climate change and stability in the Indo-Pacific. WATCH | Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts PM Modi thanked the US President for a warm welcome to him and the Indian delegation. He said, "Earlier, we had an opportunity to hold discussions, & at that time you had laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today, you are taking initiatives to implement your vision for India-US relations." The two leaders have met earlier when Biden was the US vice president, this is for the first time that Biden is meeting Modi after he became the 46th president of the US. Here are the key takeaways from the Modi-Biden bilateral summit: A new chapter in India-US ties: The bilateral meet was crucial for India and equally vital for the US as Biden is looking forward to deepening his bid to cement US leadership of a "stable" Indo-Pacific in the face of a rising China. Biden recalled that in 2006, when he was US Vice President, he had said that India and the US will be among the closest nations in the world in 2020. "I have long believed that the US-India relationship can help us solve a lot of global challenges. In fact back in 2006 when I was the Vice President, I said that by 2020 India and the US will be among the closest nations in the world," Biden said. IN PICS | PM Modi, US President Joe Biden hold first in person meet in White House × "I think that the relationship between India and the United States, the largest democracies in the world, is destined to be stronger, closer and tighter, and I believe it can benefit the whole world," he added. Biden said they are launching a "new chapter" in the history of India US ties, "taking on some of the toughest challenges" and starting with a shared commitment. Technology PM Modi said this decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages and added that he is glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution towards the US' progress. He said that technology is becoming a driving force. "We have to utilise our talents to leverage technology for greater global good." ALSO READ | '5 Ts': Indian PM Narendra Modi redefines contours of ties at summit with US president Joe Biden Modi recalled his interactions with Biden in 2014 and 2016, saying "that time you had shared your vision for ties between India and US. I am glad to see you are working to realise this vision." During his US visit, PM Modi also met top American CEOs from key sectors and highlighted the vast economic opputunities, initing the companies to invest in India. Trade PM Modi said that trade holds importance on its own between India and the US. He said, "In this decade, we can be complementary to each other." "There are many things with the US, that are needed by India and many things with India that can be useful for the US. Trade will be a major sector in this decade," said Modi. COVID-19 and Climate Change: Biden said during the talks, he will talk about "what more we can do to fight COVID-19, take on the climate challenges that the world face, and ensure stability in the Indo Pacific, including with our partners".

From trade to technology: Key takeaways from Narendra Modi-Joe Biden bilateral talks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met United States President Joe Biden for&nbsp;their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-pm-narendra-modi-us-president-joe-biden-hold-first-in-person-bilateral-summit-415630">first in-person bilateral summit</a> at the White House on Friday (September 24).&nbsp;

From trade to climate change to stronger Indo-US relations, the leaders addressed a range of issues and vowed to strengthen the ties further.

Modi said he sees the seeds have been sown for India-US relations to expand under Biden's leadership.&nbsp;

However, what won the hearts of Indians and Indian diaspora all over the world was the video of Biden welcoming Modi with open arms.

The footage was a proof of strong relations between two democracies, the oldest and largest, heralding a promising future.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-climate-change-on-agenda-as-pm-narendra-modi-prepares-to-attend-quad-415569">COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad</a>

Earlier in the day, Modi arrived at the White House and the Acting Chief of Protocol greeted him at the West Wing door. His hour-long meeting with Biden took place at the Oval Office.

When PM Modi entered the office,&nbsp;ecstatic Biden opened his hands as the Indian PM's hands were&nbsp;folded in a traditional&nbsp;namaste greeting.&nbsp;

PM Modi said, "I thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation. Earlier, we had an opportunity to hold discussions and at that time you had laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today, you are taking initiatives to implement your vision for India-US relations."

Watch the video here:

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— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1441434309701763087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In opening remarks at the Oval Office, PM Modi said, "In 2016 and 2014, I had the opportunity to talk to you in detail on the vision of India US partnership. Your vision was very inspiring. And today as the President the initiative that you are taking to take it further, I welcome that."&nbsp;

Previously, Modi had said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Indo-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with President Biden.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met United States President Joe Biden for their first in-person bilateral summit at the White House on Friday (September 24).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met United States President Joe Biden for their first in-person bilateral summit at the White House on Friday (September 24). From trade to climate change to stronger Indo-US relations, the leaders addressed a range of issues and vowed to strengthen the ties further. Modi said he sees the seeds have been sown for India-US relations to expand under Biden's leadership. However, what won the hearts of Indians and Indian diaspora all over the world was the video of Biden welcoming Modi with open arms. The footage was a proof of strong relations between two democracies, the oldest and largest, heralding a promising future. ALSO READ | COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad Earlier in the day, Modi arrived at the White House and the Acting Chief of Protocol greeted him at the West Wing door. His hour-long meeting with Biden took place at the Oval Office. When PM Modi entered the office, ecstatic Biden opened his hands as the Indian PM's hands were folded in a traditional namaste greeting. PM Modi said, "I thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation. Earlier, we had an opportunity to hold discussions and at that time you had laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today, you are taking initiatives to implement your vision for India-US relations." Watch the video here: #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome from US President Joe Biden at the White House pic.twitter.com/SEp29Rrl5g — ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2021 × In opening remarks at the Oval Office, PM Modi said, "In 2016 and 2014, I had the opportunity to talk to you in detail on the vision of India US partnership. Your vision was very inspiring. And today as the President the initiative that you are taking to take it further, I welcome that." Previously, Modi had said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Indo-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with President Biden.

Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts

The highly anticipated face-to-face bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on September 24, 2021, to discuss pressing global and regional issues ranging from Covid to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised US President Joe Biden's commitment and vision for India-US relations and the globe at large on Friday.

Modi, who was seated alongside Biden in the Oval Office of the White House, told the president that they had the opportunity to discuss India-US relations in depth in 2016 and even before that in 2014.&nbsp;

In meeting with Biden, PM Modi redefines the contours of India-USA ties.

PM highlights the 5 T’s of: tradition, talent, technology, trade, and trusteeship.

Tradition: Modi stated that the seeds of Indo-US collaboration had been sowed. Modi predicted that the importance of both countries' traditions, as well as the democratic values to which they are dedicated, will only grow.&nbsp;

Talent: Modi praised 4 million-strong Indian-American talent and its contribution to the US economy, predicting that such people-to-people exchanges will continue to rise.&nbsp;

Technology: In today's world, technology will be the driving force — technology for the benefit of humanity. Trade would play a significant role in this scenario. According to Modi, commerce between the United States and India is complementary, with one country possessing items that the other requires.&nbsp;

Trade: In the ongoing decade, India and the US can also strengthen their trade relationship. Trade will remain a key area of cooperation between both countries.

Trusteeship: &nbsp;Gandhi Ji's Jayanti was mentioned by President Joe Biden. Gandhi Ji discussed Trusteeship, a concept that will be critical for our world in the future.

The highly anticipated face-to-face bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on September 24, 2021, to discuss pressing global and regional issues ranging from Covid to Afghanistan.

The highly anticipated face-to-face bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took place on September 24, 2021, to discuss pressing global and regional issues ranging from Covid to Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised US President Joe Biden's commitment and vision for India-US relations and the globe at large on Friday. Modi, who was seated alongside Biden in the Oval Office of the White House, told the president that they had the opportunity to discuss India-US relations in depth in 2016 and even before that in 2014. In meeting with Biden, PM Modi redefines the contours of India-USA ties. PM highlights the 5 T’s of: tradition, talent, technology, trade, and trusteeship. Tradition: Modi stated that the seeds of Indo-US collaboration had been sowed. Modi predicted that the importance of both countries' traditions, as well as the democratic values to which they are dedicated, will only grow. Talent: Modi praised 4 million-strong Indian-American talent and its contribution to the US economy, predicting that such people-to-people exchanges will continue to rise. Technology: In today's world, technology will be the driving force — technology for the benefit of humanity. Trade would play a significant role in this scenario. According to Modi, commerce between the United States and India is complementary, with one country possessing items that the other requires. Trade: In the ongoing decade, India and the US can also strengthen their trade relationship. Trade will remain a key area of cooperation between both countries. Trusteeship: Gandhi Ji's Jayanti was mentioned by President Joe Biden. Gandhi Ji discussed Trusteeship, a concept that will be critical for our world in the future.

'5 Ts': Indian PM Narendra Modi redefines contours of ties at summit with US president Joe Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded US President Joe Biden on Friday that there is still much work to be done in the sphere of trade, emphasising the importance of the two nations' business connections.

This is their first meeting since Biden took office as President of the United States in January of this year.

PM Modi emphasised the importance of the bilateral summit, noting that the seeds had been laid for a deeper partnership between India and the United States.

"There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade, PM Modi said in his first bilateral meeting with the US President. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beginning-new-chapter-joe-biden-tells-modi-india-us-ties-to-be-stronger-closer-tighter-415658">Also read | Beginning new chapter: Joe Biden tells Modi India-US ties to be stronger, closer, tighter</a> 
 
PM Modi stated that President Joe Biden is taking steps to put his vision for bilateral relations into action.

He went on to say that talent and people-to-people connections will determine this decade.

The following are PM Modi's important White House quotes:&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>I'd like to express my gratitude to President Joe Biden for his kind greeting. I remember our encounters in 2014 and 2016. You had outlined your vision for India-US relations at the time. I'm delighted to see you're working to make this idea a reality.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Today's bilateral summit is important. We are meeting at the start of the third decade of this century. Your leadership will certainly play an important role in how this decade is shaped. The seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution to the USA's progress. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Gandhi Ji's Jayanti was mentioned by President Joe Biden. Gandhi Ji discussed Trusteeship, a concept that will be critical for our world in the future.&nbsp; 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Each of the issues raised by President Joe Biden is critical to the alliance between India and the United States. His contributions to COVID-19, climate change mitigation, and the Quad are important. 
	 
	<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-indian-pm-narendra-modi-receives-warm-welcome-by-joe-biden-video-wins-hearts-415646">Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts</a> 
	 
	ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-climate-change-on-agenda-as-pm-narendra-modi-prepares-to-attend-quad-415569">COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad</a></li>
</ol>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded US President Joe Biden on Friday that there is still much work to be done in the sphere of trade, emphasising the importance of the two nations' business connections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded US President Joe Biden on Friday that there is still much work to be done in the sphere of trade, emphasising the importance of the two nations' business connections. This is their first meeting since Biden took office as President of the United States in January of this year. PM Modi emphasised the importance of the bilateral summit, noting that the seeds had been laid for a deeper partnership between India and the United States. "There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade, PM Modi said in his first bilateral meeting with the US President. Also read | Beginning new chapter: Joe Biden tells Modi India-US ties to be stronger, closer, tighter PM Modi stated that President Joe Biden is taking steps to put his vision for bilateral relations into action. He went on to say that talent and people-to-people connections will determine this decade. The following are PM Modi's important White House quotes: I'd like to express my gratitude to President Joe Biden for his kind greeting. I remember our encounters in 2014 and 2016. You had outlined your vision for India-US relations at the time. I'm delighted to see you're working to make this idea a reality. There is much to be done in trade. Trade will be an important factor in India-USA ties in the coming decade. Today's bilateral summit is important. We are meeting at the start of the third decade of this century. Your leadership will certainly play an important role in how this decade is shaped. The seeds have been sown for an even stronger friendship between India and the US. I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution to the USA's progress. Gandhi Ji's Jayanti was mentioned by President Joe Biden. Gandhi Ji discussed Trusteeship, a concept that will be critical for our world in the future. Each of the issues raised by President Joe Biden is critical to the alliance between India and the United States. His contributions to COVID-19, climate change mitigation, and the Quad are important. Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts ALSO READ | COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad

Trade is an important factor in India-US ties, PM Modi tells US President Biden

The relationship between India and the United States, the world's two greatest democracies, is destined to become stronger, closer, and tighter, US President Joe Biden said on Friday as he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their first in-person bilateral summit.

"Every day, four million Indian-Americans strengthen the United States," Biden told Modi.&nbsp;

He stated the two countries were beginning a new chapter in India-United States relations.

"I have known you for a long time. I am glad that you have come back to the White House… You are well aware of our history… Our relationship has always been good," Biden told Modi. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-indian-pm-narendra-modi-receives-warm-welcome-by-joe-biden-video-wins-hearts-415646">Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts</a>

The two leaders met&nbsp;at the Oval Office and discussed a wide variety of issues, including COVID-19, climate change and economic cooperation. 
 
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-climate-change-on-agenda-as-pm-narendra-modi-prepares-to-attend-quad-415569">COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad</a>

They have met before when Biden was vice president, but this is the first time Biden is hosting Modi since becoming the 46th US president in January.&nbsp;

Here are some quotes from US President Joe Biden's remarks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi:&nbsp;

"Welcome. I want to welcome my friend, who I've known for some time, back to the White House. And Mr Prime Minister, we're going to continue to build on our strong partnership."

"When I showed the Prime Minister to his seat, I pointed out that seat is occupied almost every day by an Indian American."

"The Vice President's mother was from India, a scientist and a remarkable woman,&nbsp;" he said, referring to&nbsp;Shyamala Gopalan Harris, the mother of his deputy Kamala Harris.

"As I think you know, Mr Prime Minister, I've long believed that the US-India relationship can help us solve an awful lot of global challenges."

"In fact, back in 2006, I sent that hope out where I said that by 2020... India and the United States would be among the closest nations in the world to one another."

"And maybe I shouldn't – these are not part of my prepared remarks, but when I was in Mumbai as vice president, I finished meeting with the equivalent of the chamber of commerce. And afterwards, the Indian press asked me, "Do I have any relatives in India?"

"And I said I'm not sure but, when I was elected as a 29-year-old in kid in 1972, before I was sworn in, I got a letter from a person named Biden – last name – in Mumbai, from Mumbai. And I said, but I was never able to follow up." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-bidens-in-mumbai-when-joe-biden-spoke-of-distant-relatives-in-india-341725">Also read | ‘5 Bidens in Mumbai’: When Joe Biden spoke of distant relatives in India&nbsp;</a>

"The next morning, I had a press conference going away, and the Indian press, some of these folks, said you have five Bidens in India. And although we never admitted it – jokingly – I've found out that there was a Captain George Biden who was a captain in the East India Tea Company in India."

Biden turned to Modi and quipped: "That's hard for an Irishman to admit."

Biden then said to the press: "I shouldn't be so casual with you all. I hope you understand the humour in it. The end result was, he apparently stayed and married an Indian woman and I've never been able to track it down, so the whole purpose of this meeting is for him to help me figure out."

The US President smiled and there was laughter from the people in the room.

The relationship between India and the United States, the world's two greatest democracies, is destined to become stronger, closer, and tighter, US President Joe Biden said on Friday as he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their first in-person bilateral summit.

The relationship between India and the United States, the world's two greatest democracies, is destined to become stronger, closer, and tighter, US President Joe Biden said on Friday as he hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their first in-person bilateral summit. "Every day, four million Indian-Americans strengthen the United States," Biden told Modi. He stated the two countries were beginning a new chapter in India-United States relations. "I have known you for a long time. I am glad that you have come back to the White House… You are well aware of our history… Our relationship has always been good," Biden told Modi. Watch: Indian PM Narendra Modi receives warm welcome by Joe Biden, video wins hearts The two leaders met at the Oval Office and discussed a wide variety of issues, including COVID-19, climate change and economic cooperation. ALSO READ | COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad They have met before when Biden was vice president, but this is the first time Biden is hosting Modi since becoming the 46th US president in January. Here are some quotes from US President Joe Biden's remarks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "Welcome. I want to welcome my friend, who I've known for some time, back to the White House. And Mr Prime Minister, we're going to continue to build on our strong partnership." "When I showed the Prime Minister to his seat, I pointed out that seat is occupied almost every day by an Indian American." "The Vice President's mother was from India, a scientist and a remarkable woman, " he said, referring to Shyamala Gopalan Harris, the mother of his deputy Kamala Harris. "As I think you know, Mr Prime Minister, I've long believed that the US-India relationship can help us solve an awful lot of global challenges." "In fact, back in 2006, I sent that hope out where I said that by 2020... India and the United States would be among the closest nations in the world to one another." "And maybe I shouldn't – these are not part of my prepared remarks, but when I was in Mumbai as vice president, I finished meeting with the equivalent of the chamber of commerce. And afterwards, the Indian press asked me, "Do I have any relatives in India?" "And I said I'm not sure but, when I was elected as a 29-year-old in kid in 1972, before I was sworn in, I got a letter from a person named Biden – last name – in Mumbai, from Mumbai. And I said, but I was never able to follow up." Also read | ‘5 Bidens in Mumbai’: When Joe Biden spoke of distant relatives in India "The next morning, I had a press conference going away, and the Indian press, some of these folks, said you have five Bidens in India. And although we never admitted it – jokingly – I've found out that there was a Captain George Biden who was a captain in the East India Tea Company in India." Biden turned to Modi and quipped: "That's hard for an Irishman to admit." Biden then said to the press: "I shouldn't be so casual with you all. I hope you understand the humour in it. The end result was, he apparently stayed and married an Indian woman and I've never been able to track it down, so the whole purpose of this meeting is for him to help me figure out." The US President smiled and there was laughter from the people in the room.

Beginning a new chapter: Joe Biden tells Modi India-US ties to be stronger, closer, tighter

Indian PM Modi, US President Joe Biden hold first in person meet in White House ahead of Quad leaders summit

Anti-China banners were seen outside the White House on Friday morning during a bilateral in-person summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

“Chinese communist maliciously released Coronavirus…The four-country summit (a reference to Quad members) must decide to destroy the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) with armed forces,” read one banner outside the White House.

<img alt="Anti-China banners seen outside White House on Friday morning (US time)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e5df9ee-935f-4d8e-adf6-574b2523cd40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-09-24%20at%209.07.09%20PM%20%281%29_0.jpeg" />

The Biden-Modi meet comes&nbsp;ahead of the Quad leaders' summit, which will be hosted by President Biden and will the see the attendance of Japanese PM Yoshide Suga and Australian PM Scott Morrison, apart from Modi.

<img alt="Anti-China banners seen outside White House on Friday morning (US time)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd3526a4-e71b-483e-ad51-86ac7f2ee353" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-09-24%20at%209.07.10%20PM.jpeg" />

Even though there has been no indication on the official level that China will be on the agenda, political analysts have suggested that the Quad leaders might address Beijing's aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, free Indo-Pacific and freedom of navigation.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvrings in the region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/furious-china-slams-quad-ahead-of-groupings-first-in-person-summit-in-us-415618">Furious China slams Quad ahead of grouping's first in-person summit in US</a>

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Earlier today, China criticised the Quad grouping, with its foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saying that the quadrilateral group should not target any third country and its interests.&nbsp;

“China always believes that any regional cooperation mechanism should not target a third party or harm its interests. Seeking exclusive closed cliques against a third country runs against the trend of the times and aspirations of countries in the region. It will find no support,” he said.&nbsp;

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Anti-China banners were seen outside the White House on Friday morning during a bilateral in-person summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

Anti-China banners were seen outside the White House on Friday morning during a bilateral in-person summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. “Chinese communist maliciously released Coronavirus…The four-country summit (a reference to Quad members) must decide to destroy the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) with armed forces,” read one banner outside the White House. The Biden-Modi meet comes ahead of the Quad leaders' summit, which will be hosted by President Biden and will the see the attendance of Japanese PM Yoshide Suga and Australian PM Scott Morrison, apart from Modi. Even though there has been no indication on the official level that China will be on the agenda, political analysts have suggested that the Quad leaders might address Beijing's aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, free Indo-Pacific and freedom of navigation. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvrings in the region. Also read | Furious China slams Quad ahead of grouping's first in-person summit in US China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Earlier today, China criticised the Quad grouping, with its foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saying that the quadrilateral group should not target any third country and its interests. “China always believes that any regional cooperation mechanism should not target a third party or harm its interests. Seeking exclusive closed cliques against a third country runs against the trend of the times and aspirations of countries in the region. It will find no support,” he said. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. (With inputs from agencies)

Anti-China posters seen outside White House during Modi, Biden bilateral meet

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indo-US ties during his first, historic in-person bilateral summit with US President at the White House on Friday (September 24).&nbsp;

In opening remarks at the Oval Office, PM Modi said, "In 2016 and 2014, I had the opportunity to talk to you in detail on the vision of India US partnership. Your vision was very inspiring. And today as the president, the initiative that you are taking to take it further, I welcome that."&nbsp;

"I thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation. Earlier, we had an opportunity to hold discussions and at that time you had laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today, you are taking initiatives to implement &nbsp;your vision for India-US relations," PM Modi added.

PM Modi added, "This decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution towards USA’s progress."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-climate-change-on-agenda-as-pm-narendra-modi-prepares-to-attend-quad-415569">COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad</a>

While the two leaders have met earlier when Biden was the US vice president, this is for the first time that Biden is meeting Modi after he became the 46th president of the US.&nbsp;

Biden said that it is is a beginning of a new chapter in India-US relationship. He also pointed out that&nbsp;"four million Indian Americans every day are making America stronger".

Ahead of the meet, President Biden tweeted, "This morning I'm hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for a bilateral meeting."

"I look forward to strengthening the deep ties between our two nations, working to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, and tackling everything from COVID-19 to climate change."

Watch the video here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today we begin a new chapter in Indo - US relationships. Four Million Indian Americans everyday making America stronger : US President Joe Biden 
 
Report: Souvagya Kar<a href="https://t.co/gwlAnnyXvP">pic.twitter.com/gwlAnnyXvP</a>
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts/status/1441424893245943813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Earlier,&nbsp;Modi arrived at the White House and&nbsp;Acting Chief of Protocol greeted him at the West Wing door.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Washington DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the White House to hold a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. <a href="https://t.co/f4v129fLbG">pic.twitter.com/f4v129fLbG</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1441418902605418497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Both leaders have spoken over the phone multiple times and attended a few virtual summits, including that of the Quad grouping in March, hosted by the US president.

Their&nbsp;last telephone conversation between them took place on April 26.

Previously, Modi had said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Indo-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with President Biden.

After this,&nbsp;Modi will attend&nbsp;the first-ever in-person Quad summit with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indo-US ties during his first, historic in-person bilateral summit with US President at the White House on Friday (September 24).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indo-US ties during his first, historic in-person bilateral summit with US President at the White House on Friday (September 24). In opening remarks at the Oval Office, PM Modi said, "In 2016 and 2014, I had the opportunity to talk to you in detail on the vision of India US partnership. Your vision was very inspiring. And today as the president, the initiative that you are taking to take it further, I welcome that." "I thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation. Earlier, we had an opportunity to hold discussions and at that time you had laid out the vision for India-US bilateral relations. Today, you are taking initiatives to implement your vision for India-US relations," PM Modi added. PM Modi added, "This decade will be shaped by talent and people-to-people linkages. I am glad the Indian diaspora is making an active contribution towards USA’s progress." ALSO READ | COVID-19, climate change on agenda as PM Narendra Modi prepares to attend Quad While the two leaders have met earlier when Biden was the US vice president, this is for the first time that Biden is meeting Modi after he became the 46th president of the US. Biden said that it is is a beginning of a new chapter in India-US relationship. He also pointed out that "four million Indian Americans every day are making America stronger". Ahead of the meet, President Biden tweeted, "This morning I'm hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for a bilateral meeting." "I look forward to strengthening the deep ties between our two nations, working to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, and tackling everything from COVID-19 to climate change." Watch the video here: Today we begin a new chapter in Indo - US relationships. Four Million Indian Americans everyday making America stronger : US President Joe Biden Report: Souvagya Karpic.twitter.com/gwlAnnyXvP — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 24, 2021 × Earlier, Modi arrived at the White House and Acting Chief of Protocol greeted him at the West Wing door. Watch the video here: #WATCH | Washington DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the White House to hold a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/f4v129fLbG — ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2021 × Both leaders have spoken over the phone multiple times and attended a few virtual summits, including that of the Quad grouping in March, hosted by the US president. Their last telephone conversation between them took place on April 26. Previously, Modi had said his visit would be an occasion to strengthen the Indo-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with President Biden. After this, Modi will attend the first-ever in-person Quad summit with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan.

Indian PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden hold first in-person bilateral summit

Leaders of Quad countries —Australia, India, Japan and the US —would announce a new working group on space, a supply chain initiative and a 5G deployment and diversification effort apart from discussing issues like challenges in the Indo Pacific, climate change and COVID-19 pandemic during their historic meeting here on Friday, the White House has said.

At the invitation of President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterparts Scott Morrison from Australia and Yoshihide Suga from Japan have gathered in the American capital for the first-ever in-person Quad summit at the White House.

Quad leaders are also planning to roll out vaccine deliverables and announce a series of measures in the field of healthcare and infrastructure sector, officials here said.

"The leaders are hopeful for an opportunity in an intimate setting to sit down and talk about issues of mutual interest and concern. They'll have discussions on critical issues that are confronting the Indo Pacific; issues associated with climate change, with matters relating to COVID-19. They will also talk about how to advance infrastructure,"&nbsp;a senior administration official said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official noted that the Quad has been all about advancing areas of mutual interests.

"You will also see that the leaders are determined to pool our unique capabilities, our resources and our expertise to make common challenges,"&nbsp;the official said.

The White House official underscored that the Quad is an unofficial gathering.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/furious-china-slams-quad-ahead-of-groupings-first-in-person-summit-in-us-415618">Furious China slams Quad ahead of grouping's first in-person summit in US</a>

"Although we have a number of working groups, and we are deepening cooperation on a very daily basis, it is also the case that it is not a regional security organisation. We are going to address particular issues associated with the challenges confronting the Indo Pacific in the current environment,"&nbsp;the official said, adding that that's what the leaders want to focus on.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

"President Biden believes that too often these kinds of discussions are scripted and he really wants to be able to sit down and have a deeper conversation with all leaders in an environment where they can really share perspectives on what's important to each of them as they go forward,"&nbsp;the official said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vice-president-kamala-harris-referred-to-pakistans-role-in-terrorism-during-meeting-with-pm-modi-shringla-415387?UTM_SRC=breakingnews">US Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Pakistan's role in terrorism during meeting with PM Modi: Shringla</a>

The White House official underscored this is a clear and emblematic indication of the strategy of diplomacy.

"It also indicates that the Biden administration understands that the challenges of the 21st century will largely play out in the Indo-Pacific and we are doubling down on our efforts. This quad is part of a larger fabric of engagement that you will see,"&nbsp;the official said.

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-pm-modis-first-formal-meeting-with-us-vp-kamala-harris-415405/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"You have already seen evidence of, with very high level, bilateral engagements with security partners, other steps that we've taken and we believe that the Quad will be a key and critical format and forum for discussion and joint purpose as we head into a challenging period ahead,"&nbsp;the official said.

On the deliverables, the White House official said that the Quad leaders will be announcing a supply chain initiative.

"The effort is really a detailed joint initiative to map overall capacity, identify the respective vulnerabilities, and to take critical steps to bolster supply chain security, particularly for semiconductors and all their vital components,"&nbsp;the official said.

The goal is to ensure Quad partners take their steps to support a somewhat diverse and competitive market that produces secure critical technologies that are essential for digital economies globally.

"We're also going to announce a 5G deployment and diversification effort. This is to support the quite a critical role of Quad governments in fostering and promoting a diverse resilient secure intelligent telecommunications ecosystem,"&nbsp;said the senior administration official.

They would also announce a STEM -science, technology, engineering and mathematics - scholarship programme.

"We will also announce a major fellowship that will bring students from India, from Japan, from Australia and the United States 100 in total, over the course of the next year and a half to study in elite universities in the United States, in areas related to science and technology as a clear signal of the importance of these issues to all of our country's futures,"&nbsp;said the senior administration official.

The Quad fellowship, the official said, is sponsored by private donors which will bring 100 students per year 25 from each quad country to pursue either a master's or doctoral degree at a leading STEM graduate university in the United States.

"That's a big deal for us and that's a signature initiative designed to indicate that we want and encourage Quad countries to send their best students to work with us and to build those lines of communication, coordination with young people,"&nbsp;the official said.

The Quad leaders, the official said, would be announcing new working groups on space.

"We will have an initiative on space. I think all four countries are determined to work on joint efforts. We are going to share information on illegal fishing and issues associated with maritime domain awareness. We are also taking steps to help monitor climate change and promote a variety of issues associated with estuaries and fishing more generally,? the official said. 
Quad countries already have a robust cybersecurity effort underway and it is going to be enhanced at the leader level.

"We're going to try to take steps to bolster critical, critical inner infrastructure resilience against cyber threats, something that's plagued all four of our countries. We are advancing a very high-level group on specific capabilities and technologies,"&nbsp;the official said.

"We have got some specific steps that we're taking in the climate, green shipping network, and this has to do with how to decarbonise, what we call the shipping value chain. We are also taking specific steps to work with ports in each of our countries, to ensure that best practices are followed with respect to decarbonising efforts there as well,"&nbsp;said the official.

Responding to a question, the official underscored that Quad and AUKUS are two completely separate initiatives; they really have nothing to do with one another, even though there is some overlap with Australia.

AUKUS (Australia, the UK and the US) security partnership was unveiled last week by President Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Morrison.

"The Quad is a discussion and engagement effort around a number of practical matters like COVID and issues associated with climate change. There is not a military dimension to it or a security dimension to it. And it is an informal grouping,"&nbsp;the official said.

Leaders of Quad countries —Australia, India, Japan and the US —would announce a new working group on space, a supply chain initiative and a 5G deployment and diversification effort apart from discussing issues like challenges in the Indo Pacific, climate change and COVID-19 pandemic during their historic meeting here on Friday, the White House has said.

Leaders of Quad countries —Australia, India, Japan and the US —would announce a new working group on space, a supply chain initiative and a 5G deployment and diversification effort apart from discussing issues like challenges in the Indo Pacific, climate change and COVID-19 pandemic during their historic meeting here on Friday, the White House has said. At the invitation of President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterparts Scott Morrison from Australia and Yoshihide Suga from Japan have gathered in the American capital for the first-ever in-person Quad summit at the White House. Quad leaders are also planning to roll out vaccine deliverables and announce a series of measures in the field of healthcare and infrastructure sector, officials here said. "The leaders are hopeful for an opportunity in an intimate setting to sit down and talk about issues of mutual interest and concern. They'll have discussions on critical issues that are confronting the Indo Pacific; issues associated with climate change, with matters relating to COVID-19. They will also talk about how to advance infrastructure," a senior administration official said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official noted that the Quad has been all about advancing areas of mutual interests. "You will also see that the leaders are determined to pool our unique capabilities, our resources and our expertise to make common challenges," the official said. The White House official underscored that the Quad is an unofficial gathering. Also read | Furious China slams Quad ahead of grouping's first in-person summit in US "Although we have a number of working groups, and we are deepening cooperation on a very daily basis, it is also the case that it is not a regional security organisation. We are going to address particular issues associated with the challenges confronting the Indo Pacific in the current environment," the official said, adding that that's what the leaders want to focus on. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. "President Biden believes that too often these kinds of discussions are scripted and he really wants to be able to sit down and have a deeper conversation with all leaders in an environment where they can really share perspectives on what's important to each of them as they go forward," the official said. Also read | US Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Pakistan's role in terrorism during meeting with PM Modi: Shringla The White House official underscored this is a clear and emblematic indication of the strategy of diplomacy. "It also indicates that the Biden administration understands that the challenges of the 21st century will largely play out in the Indo-Pacific and we are doubling down on our efforts. This quad is part of a larger fabric of engagement that you will see," the official said. In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. Watch "You have already seen evidence of, with very high level, bilateral engagements with security partners, other steps that we've taken and we believe that the Quad will be a key and critical format and forum for discussion and joint purpose as we head into a challenging period ahead," the official said. On the deliverables, the White House official said that the Quad leaders will be announcing a supply chain initiative. "The effort is really a detailed joint initiative to map overall capacity, identify the respective vulnerabilities, and to take critical steps to bolster supply chain security, particularly for semiconductors and all their vital components," the official said. The goal is to ensure Quad partners take their steps to support a somewhat diverse and competitive market that produces secure critical technologies that are essential for digital economies globally. "We're also going to announce a 5G deployment and diversification effort. This is to support the quite a critical role of Quad governments in fostering and promoting a diverse resilient secure intelligent telecommunications ecosystem," said the senior administration official. They would also announce a STEM -science, technology, engineering and mathematics - scholarship programme. "We will also announce a major fellowship that will bring students from India, from Japan, from Australia and the United States 100 in total, over the course of the next year and a half to study in elite universities in the United States, in areas related to science and technology as a clear signal of the importance of these issues to all of our country's futures," said the senior administration official. The Quad fellowship, the official said, is sponsored by private donors which will bring 100 students per year 25 from each quad country to pursue either a master's or doctoral degree at a leading STEM graduate university in the United States. "That's a big deal for us and that's a signature initiative designed to indicate that we want and encourage Quad countries to send their best students to work with us and to build those lines of communication, coordination with young people," the official said. The Quad leaders, the official said, would be announcing new working groups on space. "We will have an initiative on space. I think all four countries are determined to work on joint efforts. We are going to share information on illegal fishing and issues associated with maritime domain awareness. We are also taking steps to help monitor climate change and promote a variety of issues associated with estuaries and fishing more generally,? the official said. Quad countries already have a robust cybersecurity effort underway and it is going to be enhanced at the leader level. "We're going to try to take steps to bolster critical, critical inner infrastructure resilience against cyber threats, something that's plagued all four of our countries. We are advancing a very high-level group on specific capabilities and technologies," the official said. "We have got some specific steps that we're taking in the climate, green shipping network, and this has to do with how to decarbonise, what we call the shipping value chain. We are also taking specific steps to work with ports in each of our countries, to ensure that best practices are followed with respect to decarbonising efforts there as well," said the official. Responding to a question, the official underscored that Quad and AUKUS are two completely separate initiatives; they really have nothing to do with one another, even though there is some overlap with Australia. AUKUS (Australia, the UK and the US) security partnership was unveiled last week by President Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Morrison. "The Quad is a discussion and engagement effort around a number of practical matters like COVID and issues associated with climate change. There is not a military dimension to it or a security dimension to it. And it is an informal grouping," the official said.

Quad leaders to announce working group on space, supply chain initiative and 5G deployment diversification effort: White House

Leaders of Quad countries will meet for the first ever in-person summit on Friday at the White House. But, can the Quad define its mission? Palki Sharma discusses with a special panel of guests.

Gravitas US Edition: Can the Quad define its mission?

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