NEW YORK : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was persona non grata for Washington for a decade for his alleged inaction during the Gujarat riots, will be the personal guest of President Barack Obama at the White House over the next two days. The September 29-30 talks between the two leaders are expected to cover a wide range of issues to further deepen the India-US strategic partnership.
“The two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership,’ the White House said in a statement ahead of the visit.
They will consider ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world. They will also focus on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners towards a positive outcome.
New Delhi, meanwhile, is expecting that the two countries would announce a series of new initiatives after the Modi-Obama summit in diverse fields, particularly in the field of civil nuclear cooperation, clean energy, climate change, education and science and technology.
Both sides have indicated that they desire to put certain unsavoury developments in their bilateral relations in the recent past, particularly the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade by the New York Police in an alleged visa fraud case, behind them.
On its part, Washington has wasted no time in trying to court Mr Modi, who was seen as less keen to engage the United States than his predecessor Manmohan Singh. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel have already travelled to India to meet Mr Modi.
Washington, however, is said to be unhappy with New Delhi over India’s refusal to ratify an important WTO trade deal on streamlining customs procedures and boost global commerce. India argued that the pact’s market opening requirements could prejudice its efforts to lift its poorest citizens. Mr Modi, who will arrive in Washington on Monday afternoon after completing his engagements in New York, will be the first Indian Prime Minister in over a decade to stay at the US President’s guest house – the 190-year-old Blair House – in the US capital. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the last one to stay at the guest house. President Obama will host a private dinner for Mr Modi tomorrow so as to establish a personal rapport with the visiting leader ahead of their formal talks on Monday. The Prime Minister is, however, expected to have only tea and lemonade at Obama’s dinner since his visit coincides with the ‘Navratris’ fast. The substantive talks between Mr Modi and Mr Obama will take place in Tuesday. US Vice-President Joe Biden will host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary tomorrow. Mr Modi is scheduled to meet a wide spectrum of American leaders during his stay there before leaving for India.
(AGENCIES)
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