G20: Joe Biden arrives in India first time after becoming US President, to meet PM Modi

Biden's plane - Air Force One - touched down at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly before 7 pm.

He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss a number of issues, including a deal for fighter jet engines, the procurement of predator drones, and collaboration on critical technologies like 5G and 6G networks.

There is also talk of a major rail deal but US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan did not confirm reports on this.

Earlier in the day, before setting off for India, Biden posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "every time we (the G20) engage, we get better".

"I'm headed to the G20 - the premier forum for international economic cooperation... focused on making progress on Americans' priorities, delivering for developing nations, and showing our commitment to the G20 as a forum that can deliver," he said.

India is hosting the 18th G-20 Summit in New Delhi beginning Saturday as the global leaders are arriving in the city to attend the Summit.

More than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organizations are expected to attend.

Ahead of the summit, strict traffic curbs have been put in place to restrict the movement of vehicles in the area where the G20 summit venue and hotels for delegates are located.