Trump welcomes Modi, a key ally in fight on terror
WASHINGTON — President Trump hosted India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Monday for their first meeting, as the U.S. branded a top militant from neighboring Pakistan a “global terrorist.”
The leaders of the world’s two largest democracies are looking to expand ties on defense and fighting terrorism, but strains are likely on trade. Their personal chemistry could prove as important as policy in setting the tone for future relations.
During brief Oval Office remarks, Trump heaped praise on Modi as a “great prime minister” who had brought economic growth to India. Modi recalled Trump’s visits to India long before he was president and said he was looking forward to collaborating with him now that he is president.
“The relationship between the United States and India is very, very strong and very, very powerful,” Trump said. “We agree on most things. And I would say, by the end of the day we’ll agree on everything. I have a feeling,” he joked.
Hours before Modi’s arrival, the State Department imposed sanctions on Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, the main rebel group that fights against Indian control in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir. India’s foreign ministry hailed the move.
Trump has so far focused on outreach to China, India’s other strategic rival, as he looks to Beijing to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. But Washington and New Delhi share concerns about China’s rise as a military power that has underpinned increasingly close relations in the past decade.
The Trump administration says it wants to provide India the kind of defense technology it does to the closest U.S. allies. In a concrete indication of that, the U.S. State Department approved the $365 million sale of a C-17 military transport aircraft.
The administration is also set to offer a $2 billion sale of U.S.made unarmed drones to help in surveillance of the Indian Ocean.
Trump thanked Modi for India’s purchase of U.S. military equipment. Since 2008, India has signed more than $15 billion in U.S. defense contracts.
Before going to the White House, Modi met separately with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
India is among the nations singled out by the Trump administration for their trade surpluses with the U.S., and it is also reviewing a visa program used heavily by skilled Indian workers.