Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday began his three-day United States visit by laying a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers and paying homage to Indian-American astronaut late Kalpana Chawla at Arlington National Cemetery here. “In the course of just two years, Modi has gone from someone who could not set foot on American soil as a legal matter to addressing a joint meeting of the US Congress”.
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“We discussed the progress that we have made around civil nuclear energy and I indicated our support for India becoming part of the nuclear suppliers group”, Obama said.
“Protecting the cultural heritage of our global community is important work and we are committed to identifying and returning these priceless items to their countries of origin and rightful owners”, said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said in a statement. One would be in the Oval Office.
The highlight of Modi’s visit will be his address to a joint sitting of the US Congress on Wednesday.
Both leaders will be keen on unlocking the potential for bilateral trade as well, with India – now the world’s fastest-growing economy – presenting a 1.3-billion strong market that American corporate giants like Apple, Facebook and Wal-Mart are keen to cash in on.
Obama has much to gain from good relations with Modi, from increased U.S. -India trade to closer ties to another country anxious about the rise of China.
PM Narendra Modi visited the Arlington National Cemetery to pay respect to the U.S. soldiers and also interacted with Think Tanks. After the USA, he will visit Mexico.
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.
In January 2015, when the US President had visited India, Obama and Modi had resolved differences on fixing liability if there is an accident at an atomic power plant. US lawmakers say it’s still too hard for Americans to invest in India, even with some easing of restrictions under Modi. He also signed agreements followed by lunch hosted by the Emir.
During the visit, India and the USA are expected to further their cooperation in areas like trade, defense and energy. Progress is expected to be announced Tuesday on US investment in nuclear power in India and on commitments in combating climate change.
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Under India’s “Make In India” initiative and the expansion of the co-production and co-development of technologies under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), the two nations are starting DTTI working groups to include agreed items covering naval, air and other weapons systems. “Today, we have more evidence of how free trade rules threaten the clean energy economy and undermine action to tackle the climate crisis”.
