Modi, Trump tell Pak to rein in terror groups

Washington DC (USA): In a stern warning to Pakistan, India and the US on Tuesday asked Islamabad to ensure that its soil is not used for cross-border terror. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump also vowed to boost their fight against terror outfits like the Islamic State group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba and D-Company.

As the two leaders held their maiden meeting at the White House, India and the US also called on Pakistan to “expeditiously” bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and other cross-border terrorist attacks by groups based in that country.

“Both nations are committed to a bilateral architecture that will take our strategic partnership to new heights,” Modi told reporters in his joint press statement with Trump at the White House Rose Garden.

Trump said, “During my campaign, I pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. And that is now exactly what you have — a true friend.”

During the meeting, there was no mention of contentious issues like the H-1B visa reform and climate change.

But India made a formal entry into the International Expedited Traveler Initiative (Global Entry Programme), which allows low-risk Indian travellers to the US to experience speedy entry into the country after landing. The Trump administration also confirmed that it had approved the multi-million dollar sale of a transport carrier to India, along with a separate purchase of around 20 Guardian drones.

Saying he was keen to work with Modi on creating a “fair and reciprocal” trade relationship between the two nations, Trump called for the removal of “barriers” for the export of US goods into India. 

“We’re also looking forward to exporting more American energy to India as your economy grows, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which is right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. Trying to get the price up a little bit,” he said. Modi said, “I’m sure that convergence between my vision for a new India and President Trump’s vision for ‘Making America Great Again’ will add a new dimension to our cooperation.” 

The two leaders also affirmed their support for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that will advance and strengthen the framework for global cooperation and reinforce the message that no cause or grievance justifies terrorism, the joint statement said.

In their address, the two leaders also touched on trade, security, bilateral cooperation and instability in Afghanistan, among other issues.