India wants Pak to act against terror before talks: Modi to Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Long discussion on terrorism in meeting
New York, Sept 24:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that India is not shying away from talks with Pakistan and has urged it to take concrete steps to tackle terrorism but they have not made any efforts to combat the menace.
The Prime Minister made the statement during the bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. The Prime Minister made it clear (to Trump) that we are not shying away from talks with Pakistan but we expect certain concrete steps to be taken by Pakistan before that, and we don’t find any efforts by them,” Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters at a briefing here after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
India raised the challenges it has been facing with regard to terror especially in Jammu and Kashmir since last 30 years, Gokhale said.
New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that dialogue with Pakistan will not be initiated until it takes concrete action against terror emanating from its soil.
“There was a long discussion on terrorism. The Prime Minister underscored to Trump that 42,000 lives have been lost to terror attacks in the last 30 years and that it is imperative for the international community to join the fight against terror,” Gokhale said.
“Prime Minister put forward our perspective on the issue of terrorism, President Trump showed understanding, he also recognised and accepted that this is a challenge that both countries (India and US) face together,” he stressed.
During the meeting, Modi told Trump that radicalization is fading away from India , a fact appreciated by the US President.
The Prime Minister mentioned to Trump that globally from a developed number of countries as well there have been a significant number of foreign fighters which have participated in terror activities. He pointed to the fact that although we have the largest or probably the second largest population of citizens of Muslim faith in India,” Gokhale said.
The Prime Minister told President Trump that there has been a significantly lower level of radicalisation in India than there has been in any other part of the world. President Trump acknowledged and took note of the fact,’ the Foreign Secretary remarked. Gokhale said that India was quite satisfied with the meeting which ranged between 30 to 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said his country will soon have a trade deal with India to boost economic ties between the two nations.
“I think very soon. We are doing very well. (US Trade Representative) Robert Lighthizer who is right here negotiating with India … I think, very soon we will have a trade deal,” Trump told reporters here when asked if there is any trade deal is expected in the talks between India and the US.
“We will have a larger deal down the road … but we will have a trade deal,” Trump added.
Speaking at the press conference, Modi said: “As far as trade is concerned, I am very happy that in Houston, in my presence there was an agreement signed by Indian company Petronet for USD 2.5 billion, which is the amount of investment the Indian company is going to do in the energy sector and this will mean that in the years to come, this will result in trade of an amount of USD 60 billion and create 50,000 jobs which I think is a big initiative taken by India.”
Trump said that it will be great if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan can “work out something” on Kashmir, distancing himself from any mediation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
“I really believe that Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Khan will get along when they get to know each other. I think a lot of good things will come from that meeting… It will be great if they can work out something on Kashmir,” Trump said in response to a volley of questions.
When asked about the terrorism emanating from the Pakistani soil and Pakistan Army’s links to the militant groups, Trump said, “the Prime Minister (Modi) will take care of it”.
“You have a great PM, he will solve all problem,” Trump said, responding to another question from an Indian journalist.
Meanwhile, presented Trump a framed photograph from the mega ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston.
“Memories from Houston, where history was made! PM @narendramodi presented a framed photograph from the #HowdyModi event to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
The photo shows both the leaders standing on the stage with thousands of Indian-Americans in the background.
President Trump thanked Prime Minister Modi for this gesture. (Agencies)

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