Modi-Trump meet: Commerce and investment, key areas of cooperation between India and US
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the pledge for jointly fighting international terrorism and boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trump said it was "a great honour" to host Modi "who has been such a great prime minister."
"You have done a great job economically and you are doing well in so many ways. I would like to congratulate you," Trump said.
While addressing the media jointly after his meeting with Trump, Modi said, "Fighting terrorism and destroying the hideouts is part of our mutual cooperation."
These comments came a few hours after the US declared the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin a 'global terrorist'.
Modi also added that the two nations would share intelligence and deepen policy creation on the same to combat extremism and terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi said that India was committed to peace in Afghanistan and also to help rebuild the country. After talking about geopolitics Modi spoke about why America was important to global trade.
The US being India’s second largest business partner, so trade was also a major theme of discussion. "America is a valued partner in our flagship programmes,” Modi added.
The Prime Minister noted that commerce and investment were key areas of cooperation between the two sides, adding that media that technology and the knowledge economy were also partnership areas.
"Increasing productivity, job creation and breakthrough technologies will be the driving force of our ties," he added.
Trump told the media that radical ideologies and terrorism have been two evils that are impacting the US and India and that they must end.
Trump for fighting radical ideology
"We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism," Trump said. . Next month, India will join together with the Japanese and the US navy for the largest maritime exercise in the Indian Ocean.
Trump said he loves Indian culture and its people.
“India will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its independence, and on behalf of the United States, I want to congratulate the Indian people," he says.
Calling India a true friend, he recalled his promise during the race to the White House that India would have a true friend if he was elected. “I had pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. And that is now exactly what you have-a true friend."
Trump said that he looked forward to working with Modi to create jobs in both countries, to grow both economies, and to create a trading relationship that was fair.
He, however, asked for India to remove trade barriers.
"It is important that barriers be removed to the export of US goods and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country," Trump said.
He said that the US was looking forward to exporting more energy to India as its economy grew. "There will be major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them.”
Monday's talks were preceded by a one-on-one meeting between Modi and Trump at the Oval Office. The Prime Minister was in the US on the second leg of his three-nation tour.
