Modi Trump meet: Terrorism, Afghanistan, trade, social media and friendship – 5 highlights of their joint statement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump struck a common note on all almost everything on discussion table when they met for the first time at White House on Monday. The joint press statement issued by PM Modi and President Trump highlighted Indo-US commitment on the issues related to terrorism, Afghanistan, trade, social media and friendship. 

The focus for India being the Pakistan-based terror. In a joint statement, India and US asked Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice perpetrators of terror attacks like 26/11, Pathankot, and other cross-border attacks perpetrated by terror groups, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said in a statement. 

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Here is the summary of the joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump: 

Modi, trump vow to fight against terrorism: "We talked about terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and agreed to cooperate on this. Fight against terrorism and their safe havens is an important part of our cooperation," he said at the Rose Garden lawns. Trump said both nations are “determined” to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them. “The security partnership between the US and India is incredibly important. Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organisations and the radical ideology that drives them. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism,” Trump said.

Trump calls for the removal of barriers for US exports to India: US President said it was “important” that barriers be removed to export US goods into Indian markets, “and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country.” Referring to the GST reform to be implemented across India starting next month, Trump said it was “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,” he said. Trump expressed pleasure about an order by an Indian airline company for 100 new American planes, calling it one of the largest orders of it is kind, which will support thousands and thousands of American jobs.

Indo-US partnership on Afghanistan: Modi and Trump agreed to continue strengthening coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan as they expressed concern over rising instability in the war-torn country caused by terrorism. Trump thanked the Indian people for their “contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime.”Modi said the rising instability in Afghanistan due to terrorism is a cause of mutual concern for both India and the US.

Leaders in the world of Social Media: Trump described Modi and himself as "world leaders in social media”—a reference to their multi-million strong following on online platforms—and said it has enabled them to hear directly from their citizens. “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,” Trump said in his remarks at the White House Rose Garden, following his first bilateral meeting with Modi.

Modi invites Trump, his family to India: The Prime Minister took the opportunity to extend a warm invitation to President Donald Trump and his family to visit India. “I would like to invite you to India, along with your family. And I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India,” Modi said in his remarks, standing alongside Trump at the White House’s Rose Garden. Modi also specially invited Trump’s daughter Ivanka to lead the US delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India later this year. “And I believe she has accepted,” Trump said. Modi also thanked Trump for his “feelings of friendship” towards India and himself.

Apart from terrorism and trade, PM Modi revealed that they also discussed issues related commerce, investments, technology, innovation and knowledge economy.

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