India-US to double trade, strengthen defense ties
PM Modi and President Trump met at the White House late on Thursday night (3 am according to Indian time). During this, both of them hugged each other and Trump admitted that he missed PM Modi. He praised PM Modi on the tariff issue and called him a tough negotiator. In this meeting, many important issues like Indo-US trade, defense cooperation, counterterrorism strategy and energy partnership were discussed. The two countries set a target to double bilateral trade in the next five years and agreed to further strengthen the strategic partnership. Let's know the 10 main things of this historic meeting.
President Trump announced that Tahawwur Rana, accused of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, will be extradited to India. The U.S. Supreme Court recently approved the ruling. India had been demanding Rana's handing over for a long time, which will now lead to the process of justice. The two countries also vowed to curb financing of terrorist organisations, increase cooperation in intelligence sharing and global counter-terrorism. Trump said that radical terrorism is a threat to the whole world and the alliance of the two countries will be important to stop it.
President Trump said that India is a major strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region. He pledged to strengthen the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) partnership to ensure regional peace and stability. This initiative will further strengthen India's security role. During the meeting, the US agreed to provide more defence technology and military equipment to India. India will be provided with state-of-the-art weapons, fighter jets and military systems, Trump said. The two countries also decided to enhance joint production and technology partnership in the defence sector.
Prime Minister Modi announced that new Indian consulates will be opened in Los Angeles and Boston to increase the facilities for the Indian community in the United States. This will benefit the Indian diaspora from consular services and further strengthen cultural and business ties between the two countries.