Modi, Trump upgrade partnership
TERROR CRACKDOWN Modi, Trump ask Pak to ensure its territory is not used for attacks, call for action against LeT, JeM BILATERAL TALKS India, US finalise defence deals worth $3 billion, discuss energy pact as part of global strategic ties
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday asked Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terrorist attacks, calling for perpetrators of Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice and “concerted action” against terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Following wide-ranging talks between Modi and Trump, India and the US announced defence deals for 30 military helicopters worth more than $3 billion and decided to upgrade their ties to the status of a comprehensive global strategic partnership before the US President wrapped up a whirlwind, stand-alone visit to India that lasted less than 36 hours. The two leaders also agreed to form a working group to combat narco-terrorism and organised crime.
A joint statement released on Tuesday night said: “Prime Minister Modi and President Trump denounced any use of terrorist proxies and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They called on Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot. They called for concerted action against all terrorist groups including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, Jaishe-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Hizb-ul Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, TTP, D-Company, and all their affiliates.”
The two leaders held talks at Hyderabad House during the second leg of Trump’s two-day visit, after they jointly addressed the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad on Monday, and spoke of their vision for taking forward ties in areas ranging from trade to defence and security.
Making a statement to the media alongside Modi, Trump said the two sides had expanded defence cooperation with agreements to sell India Apache and MH-60R helicopters worth more than $3 billion. “These deals will enhance our joint defence capabilities as our militaries continue to train and operate side by side,” he said.
Modi described the bilateral relationship as the “most important partnership of the 21st century” and said: “Therefore, today, President Trump and I made a decision to raise our partnership to the level of a comprehensive global strategic partnership.” Until now, it has been described as a strategic partnership.
In recent years, India has acquired military equipment worth more than $18 billion from the US.
› Our teams have made tremendous progress on a comprehensive trade agreement and I’m optimistic we can reach a deal... of great importance › DONALD TRUMP, US President This visit has been a path-breaking one. We have covered great ground as far as strengthening bilateral relations are concerned NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister