JOIN USPrime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama on Monday decided to “further refine” the Indo-US strategic partnership while pushing ahead with cooperation in the areas of security, counter-terrorism, defence, economy and climate change.
During the talks, Modi underlined the need for concrete outcomes at the upcoming global conference on climate change in Paris even as Obama said India’s leadership at the meet will set the tone for decades to come.
“We discussed how we can further refineour strategic vision,” said Obama after the hour-long talks, third between the two leaders in over a year.
He said the two leaders discussed how to move forward in various areas like security, economy, trade and investment, as also cooperation to defence procurement.
“On all these issues, the prime minister has been an outstanding partner,” Obama said.
Appreciating the US president’s “friendship, vision and commitment for the relationship,” Modi said the bilateral partnership addresses a broad range of strategic and security concerns like counter terrorism, cyber security and training.
“Our defence cooperation, including defence trade and training, is expanding. As existing terrorism threats grow and new ones emerge, we have resolved to further deepen cooperation on counter-terrorism and radicalism,” said Modi.
Pressing the need for developing mechanisms to ensure affordable as well as accessible sources of clean energy, Modi said, “We look forward to comprehensive and concrete outcome in Paris with a positive agenda on combating climate change.”
Modi said that in India, the measures include not just a plan to add 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy by 2022, but a development strategy that will enable the country to transition to a more sustainable energy mix.
During the meeting, Obama reiterated US support to India’s permanent membership of the UNSC.
Copter deal
India on Monday signed a $ 3 billion deal for purchase of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers with American aviation giant Boeing and the US government. The first helicopter is likely to be handed over to India in the next three to four years. “The contract for purchase of 22 Apache and 15 Chinook helicopters were signed here today,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said.
The contract has a clause to place follow-on orders for 11 more Apaches and seven extra Chinooks. The helicopter deal has survived over 10 price validity extensions from the American side with the last one being for a month as desired by India.
Indian techies
Praising the skill and commitment of Indian IT professionals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the magic created by their fingers on the keyboard has given India a new identity in the world. “Your fingers have created magic on the keyboard and the computer and this gave India a new identity. Your skill and commitment is wonderful,” he said addressing the Indian community at the packed SAP Centre in San Jose.