In this file photo taken on Sept 30, 2014, then US Vice President Joe Biden (right) speaks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center) alongside then US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) during a luncheon at the US State Department in Washington, DC. (SAUL LOEB / AFP)

WASHINGTON / NEW DELHI - US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed in a call on Monday to work closely to fight COVID-19, renew their partnership on climate change and defend democratic institutions and norms around the world.

Biden spoke to Modi on Monday night in his first call since taking office last month and noted that India-US ties were held together by a shared commitment to democratic values.

Modi told Biden he would work to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Indian foreign ministry said in its readout of the call.

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