NEW DELHI: Just hours after Air India inked a mega multi-billion dollar deal with US company Boeing for purchase of 220 planes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up President Joe Biden on Tuesday to express his satisfaction at the deepening India-US ties.

The leaders welcomed the landmark agreement between Air India and Boeing as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation and agreed to bolster the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries.

In a tweet PM Modi said: “Glad to speak with US president Joe Biden. Excellent discussion to review the ongoing and new initiatives to further deepen India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership. We welcome the landmark Air India-Boeing agreement which will help create new opportunities in both countries.”
Earlier in the day, President Biden had hailed the “historic agreement” between Air India and Boeing which he said “would support over one million American jobs across 44 states, and many will not require a four-year college degree”.
Highlighting the expanding civil aviation sector in India, PM Modi also invited Boeing and other US companies to make use of the growing opportunities in the country.

The two leaders also welcomed the first meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) held recently in Washington DC and expressed a keen desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in space, semiconductors, defence and other spheres.
PM Modi and Biden also agreed to remain in contact during India’s ongoing G20 Presidency to ensure its success.
(With inputs from agencies)