PM Modi meets ‘friend’ US President Trump at Osaka G20 summit
Osaka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donal Trump at G20 Summit in Japan’s Osaka on Friday. A host of issues such as trade, defence and 5G communications network were discussed on the first day of the two-day summit.
President Trump congratulates PM Modi
Trump lauded praises on PM Modi for his attempts in unifying the country. He also congratulated him on his second consecutive win in the parliamentary elections.
“You deserve it (victory). You have done a great job in pulling together. I remember when you first took over, there were many factions and they were fighting with each other and now they get along. It’s a fantastic tribute to you and your abilities,” NDTV reported President Trump’s statement.
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The statement also said that he and Prime Minister Modi “have become great friends and our countries have never been closer”.
The talks with @POTUS were wide ranging. We discussed ways to leverage the power of technology, improve defence and security ties as well as issues relating to trade.
India stands committed to further deepen economic and cultural relations with USA. @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/tdJ8WbnA7n
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 28, 2019
The two leaders met shortly after the Japan-America-India trilateral meeting. During this meeting, Modi highlighted “the importance India attaches to” the grouping.
US-India trade relations
The Modi-Trump meeting assumes significance as the US president, championing his ‘America First’ policy, has been a vocal critic of India for levying “tremendously high” duties on US products.
India has raised tariffs on 28 items, including almond, pulses and walnut, exported from the US in retaliation to America’s withdrawal of preferential access for Indian products.
The Trump administration wants Prime Minister Modi to lower the trade barriers and embrace “fair and reciprocal” trade.
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India against terrorism
Modi stressed that there is a need to stop all the mediums of support to terrorism and racism, at the informal BRICS leaders’ meeting in Osaka
“Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity. It not only kills innocents but also severely affects the economic development and social stability,” he said.
In his remarks, Modi spoke about strengthening the WTO, fighting protectionism, ensuring energy security and the need to work together to fight terrorism.
This was Modi’s first meet with Trump after his landslide victory in recent general elections. US Presidential elections set to be held next year. US President Donald Trump is himself looking for a second term.
The G20 Summit in Japan where world leaders are gathered is one of the most high-stakes and fractious meetings in years. It holds great importance with a bruising US-China trade war, geopolitical tensions, and climate change on the agenda.