In a visit marked by bonhomie and personal chemistry, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to a slew of measures, including an early trade deal to supercharge the bilateral partnership.
PM Modi: “Time To End Human Trafficking
PM Modi also expressed confidence that President Donald Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem. “Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the USÂ are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly citizens of India – if they live in the US illegally, India is ready to take them back,” PM Modi said, answering a query at the joint press conference with President Trump after their bilateral talks.
Two New Consulates In Los Angeles and Boston To Open Soon
In his remarks, PM Modi lauded the role of the Indian community in the US in fostering bilateral ties and announced that India will open two new consulates in Los Angeles and Boston.
“Indian community living in India is an important link to our relationships… To enhance our people-to-people ties – we will soon open our consulates in Los Angeles and Boston. We have invited the universities of the US to open offshore campuses in India,” he said.
Trump Announces Extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India
PM Modi also thanked President Trump for approving the extradition of the 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana. “India and America have been together in the fight against terrorism. We agree that solid action must be taken to eliminate terrorism that originates on the other side of the border. I am thankful to the President that he has decided to extradite a criminal to India who committed genocide in 2008 in India. The courts in India will take proper action,” he said.
US To Provide F-35 Stealth Fighter Planes to India
President Donald Trump said that the United States will increase its military sales to India by billions of dollars. His administration is paving the way to provide India with F35 Stealth fighters. “Starting this year, we will increase military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to provide India with the F35, Stealth fighters ultimately,” Trump said.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter, participated in the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, earlier this month at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
Importance Of Quad
The Prime Minister also affirmed the role of Quad in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. “India and America’s partnership strengthens democracy and democratic values. We will work together to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Quad will have an important role in it. This time, India will host the Quad summit, and we will extend our cooperation in new areas with our partner countries during that time. In the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States (I2U2), we will work together for economic corridor and trade infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said.
Trump also reiterated the US commitment to the Quad partnership. “In 2017, my administration revived and reinvigorated the Quad security partnership…Prime Minister and I reaffirm the strong cooperation among the United States, India, Australia and Japan, and it’s crucial to maintain peace, prosperity, and tranquillity in the Indo-Pacific,” Trump said.
PM Modi Invites President Trump To India
PM Modi also invited President Trump to visit India. “The people of India, even today, remember your visit of 2020, and they hope you’ll see them again. On behalf of the 140 crore people of India, I invite you to come to India,” he added.
President Trump lauded the “special bond” between the USÂ and India, saying both nations also announced the framework to strengthen the ties further. “I am thrilled to welcome PM Modi at the White House. We spend a lot of time here and also in India. We travelled to your beautiful country 5 years ago… It was an incredible period of time. There is a special bond between the US and India – the world’s oldest and largest democracies in the world. Today, the PM and I are announcing the framework to strengthen the ties further,” Trump said.
On Bilateral Trade
Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and the US have set a USD 500 billion target for bilateral trade by 2023 and added that the two nations’ teams will work together to finalise a mutually beneficial trade agreement. PM Modi said that the people of the US are aware of Trump’s motto, MAGA, while the people of India are moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. He said that India and the US will strengthen the oil and gas trade to ensure India’s energy security.
On Energy Import AgreementsÂ
The US President further announced agreements on energy import agreements and trade routes.
“The Prime Minister and I also reached an important agreement on energy that will ensure the US to be the leading supplier of oil and natural gas to India, hopefully, the number one supplier. In the groundbreaking development for the US nuclear industry, India is also reforming laws to welcome USÂ nuclear technology, which is at the highest level in the Indian market,” Trump said.
“We agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways and undersea cables. It is a big development,” he added.
