Washington:
India needs to buy more arms and ammunition from the US, stressed President Donald Trump during his phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night. The Republican leader who took office just a week ago also spoke about moving towards a “fair bilateral trade”.
“The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship,” the White House said.
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Sharing more details about the “productive” call, it said that the two leaders discussed deepening cooperation and regional issues, which included the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. “Both leaders emphasized their commitment to advance the US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year,” the statement added.
Europe and the Middle East have been the centres of two latest conflicts involving Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, while Indo-Pacific remains crucial to India-US ties amid growing Chinese interference.
The two leaders also spoke about PM Modi’s plans to visit the US, the White House said. The President later told reporters aboard Air Force One that PM Modi is likely to visit the White House next month.
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“I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India,” said Mr Trump.
Stating he also discussed the issue of migrants with PM Modi, the President said India will do “what is right” when it comes to taking back immigrants who came to the US illegally. Trump has cracked down on illegal immigrants and deported hundreds since assuming office a week ago.
The call between the two leaders follows reports suggesting that the Indian side has been working on an early meeting between the two leaders, who enjoyed warm relations in Trump’s first term.