US president Joe Biden aims to herald the start of a stronger US-Indian relationship on Thursday by announcing a series of defense and trade agreements with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as Washington attempts to counter China’s global influence.

Mr Biden is rolling out the red carpet for Mr Modi, treating him to a colourful White House South Lawn arrival ceremony on Thursday morning followed by Oval Office talks and a glittering state dinner in the evening. The two leaders held a private dinner at the White House on Wednesday night.

In a rare gesture, Mr Modi has agreed to take questions from reporters with Mr Biden at the White House on Thursday. He has not conducted a news conference since becoming prime minister nine years ago.

Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees India as a critical partnership. Mr Modi is seeking to raise the influence that India, the world’s most populous country at 1.4 billion, has on the world stage in the wake of strained ties with neighboring China.

The U.S.-India relationship will be vital in coming decades as both sides navigate an ascendant China and enormous challenges posed by climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and other issues.