Fighting Ebola to nuke deal: Modi, Obama pledge to deepen India-US ties

In their first summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama on Tuesday pledged to push the bilateral relationship to “new levels”, resolve outstanding bilateral issues blocking implementation of the civil nuclear deal and cooperate in counter terrorism. During their hour-long discussion, which covered a broad range of issues including economic cooperation, trade and investment and defence, Modi raised the demand for easier access to Indian service firms in the US. “I urged President Obama to take steps whereby our service companies can get access to the American economy,” the prime minister said. [caption id=“attachment_1738053” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama shake hands after briefing the media in the Oval Office of the White House. PTI[/caption] After the two countries reached an agreement on extending their defence cooperation for ten more years, the prime minister invited American companies to participate in Indian defence manufacturing sector. Modi after his bilateral talks with Obama said that while both countries have talked about taking forward the nuclear cooperation deal besides talking ‘candidly’ about the trade facilitation row. Modi while addressing the press at the White House along with Obama said, “We are committed to taking forward the civil nuclear cooperation agreement. We are serious about resolution of issues to enable civil nuclear energy cooperation to take off.” Regarding trade facilitation, Modi said that he told Obama that New Delhi is not averse to the concept but it has its own domestic compulsions to help the farming class. “India supports trade facilitation, but I hope that we are able to find a solution for India’s food security issues as well,” he said. The prime minister made no secret of his intention of forging stronger business ties between the two nations. “America is an integral part of our Look East, Link West policy. I welcome US companies to invest in India,” Modi said. Referring to his talks on tackling terror with President Obama, Modi said, “We discussed emerging terrorism challenges in South Asia and new threats of terrorism in West Asia and beyond. We intensify cooperation in counter terrorism and intelligence.” The prime minister made it clear that India is firm on its commitment to Afghanistan and said that he looked to deepen ties with the US on this front as well. “We both are committed to helping Afghanistan and improving our coordination in this area,” Modi said. Thanking Obama and the Indian community for giving him a warm welcome, Modi said, “This visit has reinforced my conviction that India and US are natural global partners.” Modi and Obama also discussed the threat posed by the Ebola virus disease. “We have shared concerns over the Ebola crisis, and India has committed to spend 10 million dollars to contain the disease,” Modi said, adding, “We have agreed to consult and cooperate on climate change.” Speaking of the Mars missions by India and US, Modi said, “I am happy that we are meeting here just a few days after the India US missions reached Mars at the same time. After the India-US summit on Mars we are meeting on earth.” Modi also invited the US president and his family to visit India. “I have invited President Obama and his family to visit India,” he said. Meanwhile President Barack Obama said that he was looking forward to building on the relationship with India. “Have decided to deepen existing ties with India,” he said and added, “It would be an interesting time to work with PM Modi during his tenure.”