Tag Archives: President Donald Trump

India, World

‘India has true friend in White House’

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Houston: “From CEO to Commander-in-Chief, from boardroom to the Oval Office, from studios to global stage, from politics to the economy and to security President Donald Trump has left a deep and lasting impact everywhere.”

This is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the US President at the Howdy Modi event held here on 22 September to mark Indo-US relations. It is my honor and privilege to welcome him here in this magnificent stadium and magnificent gathering, Modi said.

The PM further said:

“And I can say I had a chance to meet him often and every time I found the friendliness, warmth, energy, the President of the United States of America – Mr. Donald Trump.

This is extraordinary, this is unprecedented. 

As I told you we have met a few times and every time he has been the same warm, friendly, accessible, energetic and full of wit. I admire him for something more.

His sense of leadership, a passion for America, a concern for every American, a belief in American future and a strong resolve to Make America Great Again.

And he has already made the American economy strong again. He has achieved much for the United States and for the world.

We in India have connected well with President Trump. The words of candidate Trump – Abki Baar Trump Sarkar rang loud and clear and his celebration in the White House lit up millions of faces with joy and appreciation.

When I met him for the first time he said to me, ‘India has true friend in White House.’ Your presence here today is great testimony to that.

In these years our two nations have taken the relationships to new heights. Mr. President this morning in Houston, you can hear the heartbeat of this great partnership in this celebration of the world’s two largest democracies.

You can feel the strength and depth of human bonds between our two great nations. People are at the heart of all relationships from Houston to Hyderabad, from Boston to Bengaluru, from Chicago to Shimla, from Los Angeles to Ludhiana, from New Jersey to New Delhi. 

Hundreds of millions are glued to their TV even though it is rather late on a Sunday night in India millions around the world, in different time zones are with us today. They are witnessing history in the making.

Mr. President, you had introduced me to your family in 2017 and today I have the honor to introduce you to my family, over a billion Indians and people of Indian heritage around the globe.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my friend, a friend of India, a great American President Mr. Donald Trump.”

World

Pakistan gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror: Donald Trump

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Washington DC: After having studying Afghanistan in great detail and from every angle and following many meetings, over many months, the US President Donald Trump held a final meeting last Friday at Camp David, with his Cabinet and Generals, to complete the US strategy vis-a-vis Afghanistan.

Trump has concluded that the security threats in Afghanistan and the broader region are immense.

Today twenty U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the highest concentration in any region of the world. For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict….India and we will win.-Donald Trump

Shortly after his inauguration, Trump had directed the US Secretary of Defense Mattis and his national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of all strategic options in Afghanistan and South Asia.

Trump gave a Presidential address to the nation on Monday (21 August 2017). He said that presently twenty U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the highest concentration in any region of the world. For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict.

Trump’s remarks:

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, America’s interests are clear: we must stop the re-emergence of safe-havens that enable terrorists to threaten America; and we must prevent nuclear weapons and materials from coming into the hands of terrorists and being used against us.

But to prosecute this war, we will learn from history. As a result of our comprehensive review, American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically in the following ways:

A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions. I’ve said many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin, or end, military operations. We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities.

The next pillar of our new strategy is a change in our approach to Pakistan. We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists.

Finally, my administration will ensure that you, the brave defenders of the American people, will have the necessary tools and rules of engagement to make this strategy work.

That’s why we will also expand authority for American armed forces to target the terrorist and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan. These killers need to know they have nowhere to hide – that no place is beyond the reach of American arms…

We will also maximize sanctions and other financial and law enforcement actions against these networks, to eliminate their ability to export terror.

Our troops will fight to win. From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over the country, and stopping mass terror attacks against Americans before they emerge.

The stronger the Afghan security forces become the less we will have to do. Afghans will secure and build their own nation, and define their own future. We want them to succeed.

World

The US and India will work together for Prosperity through Partnership

Leave a comment

Newsroom24x7 Network

Washington DC: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s just concluded visit to the US and his meeting with the American President Donald Trump at the White House on 26 June 2017 reinforced the close ties between the United States and India.

The two leaders have reiterated their commitment to further strengthen ties to achieve “prosperity through partnership.

Highlights of this cooperation, according to a White House press release,  include:

Global Partners on Defense and Security

Major Defense Partner The United States will continue to remain a “reliable provider” of advanced defense articles in support of India’s military modernization efforts. United States-sourced defense articles, including the Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial System, Apache attack helicopters, and C-17 aircraft will further enhance the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces and provide additional opportunities for interoperability. Completion of these sales would increase bilateral defense trade to nearly $19 billion, supporting thousands of United States jobs. If selected, United State offers to sell F-16 and F/A-18 fighter aircraft to India would represent the most significant defense cooperation between the United States and India to date.

DTTI The United States-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) remains the premier forum for deepening collaboration on defense co-development and co-production. The seven DTTI Joint Working Groups continue to discuss a range of technologies and platforms for potential co-development, including India’s participation in the Future Vertical Lift program. DTTI representatives met most recently in April 2017.

Military-Military Engagements Key military and civilian defense leaders continue to meet via reciprocal counterpart visits and strategic and policy dialogues, promoting closer service ties and improving interoperability among our forces. The annual MALABAR naval exercise, occurring in July 2017 in the Indian Ocean, will be the most complex to date, including participants from the U.S. Navy, Indian Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The United States and India also participate in the VAJRA PRAHAR Special Forces exercise, the RED FLAG air force exercise, and YUDH ABHYAS army exercise.

Counter-Terrorism Partnership The United States and India are committed to combatting terrorism in all its forms and to strengthening cooperation on terrorist screening, intelligence, and information sharing, terrorist use of the internet, and multilateral terrorist designations. Reflecting this partnership, the U.S. Terrorist Screening Center and Indian counterparts are cross-screening known and suspected terrorists for investigative and intelligence purposes.
Law Enforcement Cooperation. The United States has provided anti-terrorism assistance training for more than 1,200 Indian security personnel since 2008.

Facilitating Strategic Trade The High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) facilitates greater civil high technology and defense trade between American and Indian businesses, leveraging India’s status as a Major Defense Partner. In 1999, 24 percent of all exports from the United States to India required an export license. Currently, licensed exports still make up only a small percentage of trade with India; in 2016, only 0.4 percent required a license, commensurate with the United States’ closest allies and partners.

Committed to Increasing Free and Fair Trade

Trade Two-way trade in goods and services reached $114 billion in 2016. With the Indian economy growing at 7 percent annually, both countries are committed to further expanding and balancing the trade relationship.

Aviation In 2017, Indian airline SpiceJet announced the order of 100 new Boeing 737MAX-8s, bringing its order to 205 planes valued at more than $20 billion and, according to industry, creating and sustaining 130,000 American jobs in the state of Washington and elsewhere. At the Paris Air Show in June, SpiceJet announced a preliminary commitment for an additional 20 Boeing aircraft.
India is projected to become the world’s third-largest commercial aviation market by 2020. Through the U.S-India Aviation Cooperation Program, the United States has increased the safety and security of India’s rapidly growing aviation sector, and generated over $600 million in exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services.

Trade Facilitation The United States and India, both signatories to the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), are working together to implement the TFA’s provisions and help lower the cost of trade for both our countries.

Investment According to the Government of India, the United States is one of the top five destinations for investment from India. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that Indian companies have invested over $11 billion in the United States economy, creating and sustaining more than 52,000 jobs. Industry sources indicate these investments are spread across 35 states.
Capital Markets. The Department of Treasury and Indian Ministry of Finance continue to collaborate on resolving outstanding tax disputes, building Indian capital markets, and promoting greater bilateral investment. Enhanced technical cooperation includes areas such as the development of India’s municipal bond market. The just-completed issuance of a municipal bond for the city of Pune was India’s first municipal issuance since 2011.

Powering the New India

Liquefied Natural Gas Exports and Investment Indian energy companies have signed more than $30 billion in long-term contracts for U.S.-produced liquefied natural gas (LNG), including from Louisiana and Maryland. Industry estimates that Indian companies have invested more than $10 billion in the United States LNG and shale sectors.

Nuclear Power The United States and India are committed to realizing commercial civil nuclear cooperation, in particular through a contract for six Westinghouse Electric AP-1000 nuclear reactors to be built in Andhra Pradesh, India. Once completed, the project will provide reliable electricity for millions of Indian citizens.

Fossil Energy The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will host a Refineries Performance Optimization Reverse Trade Mission in fall 2017, familiarizing senior executives from Indian refining companies with U.S. technologies that can optimize the performance of India’s oil refineries.
Grid Expansion and Modernization. The Department of Commerce will lead a Smart Grid and Energy Storage Business Development Mission to New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai in March 2018 to showcase U.S. technologies and services that can help India address its grid modernization needs. The two countries also announced the Smart Grid and Energy Storage consortia under the U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy and Research Development Center.

Energy Finance The U.S.-India Clean Energy Finance Task Force is delivering recommendations to mobilize U.S. technology exports and American and Indian private investment in India’s $1.2 trillion power market. Additionally, the Department of State is facilitating connections between American and Indian industry, state governments, and universities to advance energy solutions.
Expanding Ties Between Our Citizens

Today, nearly 4 million Indian-Americans reside in the United States and over 700,000 U.S. citizens live in India. Last year, the United States Government issued nearly one million visas to Indian citizens, and facilitated 1.7 million visits by Indian citizens to the United States.
Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program. The United States began accepting applications from India for the expedited entry program, facilitating travel in both directions that will lead to more business, investment, and tourism. In 2016, Indian visitors in the United States spent nearly $13 billion, making India the sixth largest market for U.S. travel and tourism exports.

Skills Development More than 166,000 Indian students studied in the United States in 2016, contributing $5 billion in economic activity and supporting some 64,000 American jobs. Over the last decade, Indian students contributed $31 billion to the U.S. economy.
Entrepreneurship. The United States and India will co-host a Global Entrepreneurship Summit this year in India, focused on supporting women entrepreneurs, and geared toward solving 21st century challenges and improving lives. President Trump has asked Ivanka Trump to lead the United States delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Indian Americans have embraced innovation and entrepreneurship, sitting at the forefront of Silicon Valley’s technology revolution, and founding an estimated 15 percent of Silicon Valley startups. They have helped to develop the Pentium chip, fiber optics, and noise canceling headphones, among numerous other innovations.

Tackling Global Challenges

Exploring Space The United States and India are working together in the exploration of space, from discovering water on the surface of the Moon to sharing data on Mars from our respective orbiters. The joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, scheduled for launch in 2021, will help scientists to better understand some of Earth’s most complex systems and hazards.
Afghanistan Development. The United States and India support increased stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and their expanded development coordination and cooperation benefits all three countries. India has spent $2 billion on development assistance to Afghanistan since 2001, and pledged an additional $1 billion in 2016. In September 2017, the United States will co-sponsor the India-Afghanistan Export, Trade and Investment Fair in New Delhi, to promote expanded Afghan commercial ties with India.

Global Agriculture Cooperation Fifty years after the Green Revolution helped India to free millions from hunger, the United States and India have trained more than 1,500 agricultural practitioners from 17 countries across Africa and Asia on specialized farming practices to improve productivity and income.

U.N. Peacekeeping Burden Sharing India and the United States remain committed to U.N. peacekeeping and building the capacity of African partners, training participants from 13 countries and the African Union. The two sides will conduct additional joint training in July 2017 and lead a mobile training team in Africa this fall.

Disease Research and Treatment For more than 40 years, the United States has collaborated with India on disease research, including tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and rotavirus, and non-communicable diseases – cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The United States supports India’s ambitious goal to end TB by 2025, through the scale-up of detection, diagnosis, and new treatments for drug-resistant TB.

Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) As GHSA Steering Group members, the United States and India recognize the importance of strengthening global capacity to counter infectious disease threats. India is working across sectors to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stewardship, a key threat to global health security and modern medicine. The United States remains committed to supporting India as it develops and implements multi-sectoral national action plans to combat AMR and two national AMR networks for the use of antimicrobial surveillance.

World

Trump and Modi for strong security partnership to fight terrorism

1 Comment

Newsroom24x7 Staff

Washington DC: The US President Donald Trump today said that the security partnership between the United States and India is incredibly important. Both nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism, and are both determined to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them.

“We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism”, said Trump.

Trump made this remark while delivering a Joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his statement Modi said that they discussed the serious challenges of terrorism, extremism, and radicalization, which are the major challenges facing the world today. Both countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in fighting against these scourges. Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation, underscored the Prime Minister.

Remarks by US President Donald Trump

Delivering his remarks, Trump said that the US and Indian militaries are working every day to enhance cooperation between the military forces, Trump said adding next month, they will join together with the Japanese navy for the largest maritime exercise ever conducted in the vast Indian Ocean.

Jim Mattis, United States Secretary of Defense calls on Prime Minister in Washington D.C. during his three-day visit to USA
Photo Courtesy: Lalit Kumar

The US President thanked the Indian people for their contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining the US in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime. The North Korean regime is causing tremendous problems and is something that has to be dealt with, and probably dealt with rapidly, he pointed out.

Working together, the US and India can set an example for many other nations, make great strides in defeating common threats, and make great progress in unleashing amazing prosperity and growth, the US President observed.

Trump said that he was thrilled to salute Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian people for all that they have accomplished together. The accomplishments have been vast, he said adding India has the fastest growing economy in the world. “We hope we’re going to be catching you very soon in terms of percentage increase, I have to tell you that. We’re working on it” he emphasised.

During his campaign (presidential), Trump said that he had pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. And that is now exactly what India has — a true friend. The friendship between the United States and India is built on shared values, including shared commitment to democracy. Not many people know it, but both American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: “We the people”, he went to underscore.

I’m proud to announce to the media, to the American people, and to the Indian people, that Prime Minister Modi and I are world leaders in social media — (laughter) — we’re believers — giving the citizens of our countries the opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials, and for us to hear directly from them. I guess it’s worked very well in both cases. -President Trump

Trump further said:

“In just two weeks, you will begin to implement the largest tax overhaul in your country’s history — we’re doing that also, by the way — creating great new opportunities for your citizens. You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy.

I look forward to working with you, Mr. Prime Minister, to create jobs in our countries, to grow our economies, and to create a trading relationship that is fair and reciprocal. It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets, and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country.

I was pleased to learn about an an Indian Airlines recent order of 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which will support thousands and thousands of American jobs. 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 are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. Trying to get the price up a little bit.

To further our economic partnership, I’m excited to report that the Prime Minister has invited my daughter, Ivanka, to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall. And I believe she has accepted.”

I’m proud to announce to the media, to the American people, and to the Indian people, that Prime Minister Modi and I are world leaders in social media — (laughter) — we’re believers — giving the citizens of our countries the opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials, and for us to hear directly from them. I guess it’s worked very well in both cases.”

Remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Focussing on common concerns on terrorism, Modi said: “we will also enhance our sharing of intelligence, and exchange information to deepen and expand our policy coordination as far as possible.”

On regional issues

The increasing instability, due to terrorism, in Afghanistan is one of our common concerns, Modi said adding both India and America have played an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan and ensuring its security. In order to attain the objectives for peace and stability in Afghanistan, India will maintain close consultation and communication with the U.S. to enhance coordination between both nations.

Indo-Pacific region

In order to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Modi said that this is also another objective of our strategic cooperation in this area. He spoke of the increasing possibilities for enhancing cooperation in order to protect the strategic interests and said we will continue to work with the USA in this region.

For strengthening of India’s defense capabilities

Strengthening India’s defence capabilities with the help of USA, is something that we truly appreciate, Modi said and went on to announce that it has been decided to enhance maritime security cooperation between the two nations. “President Trump and I have also spoken about strengthening bilateral defense technology and our trade and manufacturing partnership, which we believe will be mutually beneficial to us”, said Modi

Rex W. Tillerson, United States Secretary of State calls on Prime Minister in Washington D.C. during his three-day visit to USA

International issues and our common strategic interests

Modi said: “we are extremely grateful for the continued support of the United States for India’s membership of international institutions and regimes. We truly appreciate the support, because this is also in the interest of both our nations.”

Click here for Remarks by the US President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Modi in Joint Press Statement