“More people are enslaved in India than in any other country in the world, with millions of Indian men, women, and children trapped in debt bondage and forced to perform strenuous work”, said Amy Sobel of the Washington-based Human Rights First pressure group.
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Meetings between USA president Barack Obama and India prime minister Narendra Modi concluded with a statement to join the pact “as soon as possible”.
Reacting to the controversy over Modi’s alleged role, US officials denied him a visa in 2005 on the grounds of a little-used clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act barring foreign officials from entry if they were deemed responsible of what the Act calls “violations of religious freedom”.
It’s a refrain heard repeatedly among India’s political analysts, who see calculation instead of genuine affection, with an Indian leader carefully shaping the country’s political narrative by putting himself at the center of any diplomatic achievement. Prosecutions in domestic slavery cases are rare, and when they occur, victims are often vulnerable to intimidation and harassment.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, and Westinghouse confirmed engineering and site design work will begin immediately and contractual arrangements will be completed by June 2017.
In 2015 the India US strategic dialogue was elevated to Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, reflecting shared priorities of generating economic growth, creating jobs, improving the investment climate, and strengthening the middle class in both countries.
We discussed regional security issues, we wish to work together on cyber security.
Prime minister Narendra India on Monday thanked Switzerland for its understanding and support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) following delegation level talks with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann.
“I think it’s in both sides’ interests to try to cement the gains so that it will be harder for a future President or Prime Minister to reverse”. This week marks his fourth USA visit since assuming office in 2014. When Modi publicly refers to Obama by his first name “he’s claiming the position that he’s equal to the president of the United States”.
“There obviously are some important national security issues as well”.
Modi arrived in the United States on Monday afternoon on the fourth leg of a five-nation tour. All PMs who have served a full term since have addressed the Congress – Narasimha Rao (1994), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2000) and Manmohan Singh (2005). While some analysts question whether that reflects genuine affection, the two leaders have publicly praised each other.
Obama’s quotes, though, seem carefully gauged to avoid anything too personal: “We have developed a friendship and close working relationship”, he told Press Trust of India in an interview earlier this year. The Prime Minister said that India is not just a market of 1.25 billion, we have skills and a government which is open to business.
This is the Prime Minister’s fourth visit to the USA in the last two years.
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His last meeting with President Obama before he demits office will be one of consolidation.
