WHEN MODI MET TRUMP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a cordial and fruitful meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Modi went to discuss the H1B visa, jobs of Indian professionals, FDI, climate change and terrorism. Trump, however, restricted the talks to his own agenda of the sale of drones, declaring Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist, conducting a joint naval exercise with Japan and India and providing Indian nuclear reactors. Trump is a businessman and he cleverly sold military hardware and power plants to India. The US continues to give aid to Pakistan, while it supports India in fight against terrorism. Col Kuldip Singh Grewal (retd), Patiala

II

The public in India may have been upset because of inflation, demonetisation and the impact of upcoming goods and service tax (GST), but ever since Modi took over as the PM, our country’s image worldwide has improved. The warm welcome by White House to the PM is an indication of strong US support to India’s stand on issues, particularly Pak-based terrorists. This perception has even shaken countries such as China. In the changed scenario, India is definitely on the path to becoming a super power. Jaspreet Kaur, SAS Nagar

III

PM Modi’s visit to the US has not brought desired results. Relations between the two countries are at a saturation point. There is a need to take steps to increase economic partnership between the US and India. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of India has been less than 7% in three years. The unemployment rate is on the rise. In this scenario, India needs to boost ties with the US. Nothing specific has come out on H1B visa norms. H1B benefits India the most. The information technology (IT) business is another field in which both countries have a stake. Devinder Singh, Patiala

IV

It was good to see top representatives of the two great democracies, India and the US, discuss ways to strengthen economic, political and administrative ties between the two nations. The discussion about terrorism and radicalism and the situation in North Korea and Afghanistan highlighted the role which both nations can play to put an end to anti-humanitarian regimes. Pawan Muggowal, Hoshiarpur