A new era for relations? Trump welcomes Modi at White House

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US President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House for their first face-to-face meeting on Monday, seeking to forge a chemistry that can add new fizz to a flourishing relationship between the two countries.

Despite differences over issues such as immigration and climate change, Modi is expected to assure Trump that the US has nothing to fear from India's growing economic clout during his two-day visit.

While ties with some traditional allies have been strained by Trump's complaints that Washington has been the loser in trade agreements, Modi appears alert to his host's sensitivities and emphasis on transactional diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak to the press in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

Relations between India and the US were generally cool until the 1990s but they warmed under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, as India sought greater foreign investment and trade ties.

But it was not long after Trump's election that obstacles emerged on issues such as trade and visas for Indians wanting to work in the US. Then Trump accused India of seeking to profit from the Paris climate accord as he announced the US withdrawal from the deal this month – drawing sharp denials from New Delhi.

‘Commercial and investment opportunities’

India is currently the world's fastest growing major economy, a status that Modi is hoping to cement by drawing in more foreign investment – in part by encouraging manufacturers to do business in Asia's third-largest economy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R), US President Donald Trump (4th L) and First Lady Melania Trump (3rd L) sit for dinner in the Blue Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

"The transformation of India presents abundant commercial and investment opportunities for American businesses," said Modi, whose government is about to implement a new nationwide tax system designed to scythe through red tape.

Ahead of his talks with Trump, Modi met with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis as India eyes the purchase of more military equipment from the US.

Modi on Sunday met top executives from American companies including Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, and told them that India is a business-friendly country of "minimum government".

Trump accepts Modi's offer to visit India.

‍US President Donald Trump (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk towards a press conference in the Rose Garden at The White House in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

Trump urges Modi to fix deficit

During Monday's talks, Trump also urged Modi to do more to relax Indian trade barriers as both leaders took great pains to stress the importance of a strong US-India relationship.

Trump made clear he sees a need for more balance in the US-India trade relationship in keeping with his campaign promise to expand American exports and create more jobs at home.

Last year the US trade deficit with India neared 31 billion US dollars.

Trump said he would like a trading relationship that is "fair and reciprocal."

Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, speaks as US President Donald Trump (right) listens during a meeting at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. , on Monday, June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

Trump, Modi call on Pakistan to stem terrorist attacks

Trump and Modi called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders also "called on all nations to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law," the statement said.

DPRK's missile tests 'grave threat' to peace

Trump and Modi called the DPRK's pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programs a "grave threat" to global peace, the White House said in a statement after a meeting of the two leaders on Monday.

Trump and Modi pledged to work together to counter the DPRK's "weapons of mass destruction" programs and vowed to hold "all parties" that support these programs accountable, the White House statement said.

(Source: AFP, Reuters)

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(Source: AFP, Reuters)