New Delhi, September 10:

US President Joe Biden spoke to China’s Xi Jinping on Friday, for the first time in seven months, which the White House said was a “broad, strategic discussion” over the phone. “The two leaders had a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge,” the readout issued by the White House briefing room read.

According to the White House, both Joe Biden and Xi Jinping have agreed to engage, in an open and straightforward manner, on issues concerning the diplomatic ties between the United States and China. “This discussion, as President Biden made clear, was part of the United States’ ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC,” the readout explained.

“President Biden underscored the United States’ enduring interest in peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” the readout continued, “… and the world and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.”