India, U.S. vow to fight terrorism together

President Donald Trump, calls India a “true friend “, addressing a joint press brief at White House President Trump said that both countries are affected by terror, and should resolve to destroy radical Islamic terrorism.

Trump also called for the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic programs to be “rapidly” tackled, and thanked Modi for “joining us in applying new sanctions against Pyongyang.”

The two leaders also agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan as they expressed concern over rising instability in the war-torn country caused by terrorism.

US President Donald Trump said he is keen to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on creating a “fair and reciprocal” trading relationship between the two nations and called for the removal of “barriers” for the export of US goods into Indian markets.

Referring to the GST reform to be implemented across India starting next month, Trump said it was “the largest tax overhaul in your country’s history”.

“You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion PM Modi said that both the countries will help each other cooperate in areas of counter terrorism. Further both nations will continue to cooperate in bringing peace and normalcy in Afghanistan.

PM Modi said that both the countries are committed for a bilateral architecture that would propel the strategic bilateral relationship to a new level. Technology, innovation and knowledge economy will be focus areas in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

PM Modi expressed satisfaction on the bilateral talks with Donald Trump and said that the talks were fruitful and touched almost all the aspects of the bilateral relationship.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC. In a special gesture, President Trump and the first lady Melania Trump came out on the South Portico of the White House to receive PM Modi.

The much awaited meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi & U.S President Donald Trump took place on Tuesday. On his arrival to White House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by US First Lady Melania and President Donald Trump ahead of their talks. Trump exchange pleasantries with PM Modi and shook hands with him before they made their way into White House.

As the two leaders sat for the meeting, PM Modi expressed gratitude to Trump and the first lady for the warm welcome extended to him.

And then it was all praise from U.S President Trump for PM Modi. But, PM Modi said the welcome extended to him was a welcome to 125 crore people of India. He recalled Trump’s India visit in 2014 before he became the President.

The one-on-one meeting in the Oval office was followed by delegation level talks between the two sides in the Cabinet Room. PM Modi termed U.S. as the world’s oldest democracy, while India is the world’s largest democracy.

U.S President Donald Trump thanked PM Modi for ordering equipment from US. He said that nobody makes military equipment like the United States.

The two leaders spent around 5 hours together, ending with a working dinner. PM Modi is the first foreign dignitary to be hosted for dinner by President Trump at the White House.