Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with US President Joe Biden. Both leaders welcomed the announcement of a landmark agreement between Air India and Boeing as a shining example of mutually beneficial cooperation that will help create new employment opportunities in both countries.
Earlier in the day, the White House made an announcement regarding the Air India-Boein deal valued at USD 34 billion. Air India will purchase 220 planes from Boeing with an option to buy 70 more aircraft taking the total value of the deal to USD 45.9 billion.
As per the White House, Air India will purchase 190 B737 MAX, 20 B787, and 10 B777X aircraft. There is an option in the deal to purchase additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX and 20 Boeing 787. Biden described the deal as a “historic agreement.
Meanwhile, during the telephonic conversation, PM Modi and Joe Biden expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, which has resulted in robust growth in all domains.
The Prime Minister also invited Boeing and other US companies to make use of the opportunities arising due to the expanding civil aviation sector in India.
“The two leaders welcomed the first meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) held recently in Washington D.C, and expressed a keen desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in space, semi-conductors, supply chains, defence co-production and co-development and knowledge and innovation ecosystems,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Both leaders also agreed to bolster the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries. PM Modi and Biden agreed to remain in contact during India’s ongoing G20 Presidency to ensure its success.
Meanwhile, Air India will also purchase 250 aircraft from Airbus in a multi-billion dollar. The announcement of the Ai India-Airbus deal was attended by PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Piyush Goyal, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata and other dignitaries of the Tata Group. As part of this deal, Air India will acquire 210 A320 neo planes and 40 A350 aircraft from Airbus. The total value of this deal will be over USD 100 billion.
