White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced questions Wednesday about the "optics" of President Joe Biden hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi given concerns about his government's human rights record and differences between the two countries on issues related to China, Russia, and Ukraine.

The White House announced the state visit earlier on Wednesday, marking Biden's third as president. Modi's trip comes amid increased tension among the United States, China, and other nations in the South Pacific.

BIDEN WALKS HUMAN RIGHTS TIGHTROPE WHILE HOSTING PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT AMID CHINA TENSION

"As we do with other nations around the world, we regularly engage with Indian government officials at senior levels on human rights concerns, including freedom of religion or belief. That is something that the president regularly does," Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with the president when asked about the state visit Wednesday. "We encourage all countries to uphold their human rights obligations, commitments, and to work towards building inclusive societies.

"As you know, this is a president who has had decades of experience of leader-to-leader relationships. This is an important relationship as we speak about the Indo-Pacific, as we talk about how to move forward in that region," she continued. "And so the president believes this is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights."

Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the White House for a state visit in April, followed by bilateral meetings at the White House with Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the president of the Philippines.

Marcos's visit was protested by Filipino Americans over his whitewashing of human rights abuses committed by the government.

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Biden will also meet with Modi at the Quad Leaders Summit next week in Australia.

You can listen to Wednesday's gaggle in full below.