US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraced each other as friends and partners Monday, vowing to work more closely on combating terrorism, the war on Afghanistan and defence cooperation.
The two leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries, a statement from the White House said.
Trump and Modi also “called on all nations to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law,” the statement said.
Addressing a small audience at the White House following a bilateral meeting with senior members of their administrations, Trump said both the US and India have been affected by the “evils of terrorism” and the “radical ideology that drives them.”
While Trump’s relations with some traditional allies had a rocky start, he and Modi appeared to strike up an immediate rapport in their first meeting, exchanging hugs in the White House Rose Garden in front of reporters.
While there were no major announcements, Trump’s administration confirmed it had given the green light to the $366 million sale of a transport carrier to India, along with a separate purchase of around 20 drones.
The United States has become the leading supplier of defense equipment to India, signing contracts worth more than $15 billion since 2008.
Modi and Trump pledged their quest for economic growth would strengthen rather than undermine ties between the world’s two largest democracies.
“I would say the relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, has never been better,” Trump told a beaming Modi as they made statements.
“I look forward to working with you, Mr prime minister, to create jobs in our countries, to grow our economies and to create a trading relationship that is fair and reciprocal.”
After Trump said it was “important that barriers be removed to the export of US goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country,” Modi said India was becoming an easier place for American companies to do business.
“We consider the United States as our primary partner in India’s socio-economic transformation in all our flagship programs and schemes,” he added.
“I’m sure that convergence between my vision for a new India and President Trump’s vision for ‘Making America Great Again’ will add a new dimension to our cooperation,” added Modi, in reference to Trump’s signature campaign slogan.
Any differences over issues such as immigration and climate change were kept behind closed doors.
