Relations with India never better, says Trump

WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraced each other as friends and partners yesterday, pledging that their quest for economic growth would strengthen ties between the world’s two largest democracies.

While Mr Trump’s relations with some allies have had a rocky start, he and Mr Modi appeared to strike an immediate rapport in their first meeting as they hugged in the White House Rose Garden in front of reporters.

Any differences over issues such as immigration were kept behind closed doors and they instead vowed to work more closely on fighting terrorism, and defence cooperation.

“I would say that the relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, has never been better,” Mr Trump told a beaming Mr Modi.

“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.”

Mr Trump also declared he was a “true friend” of India.

But there was some tension in the inaugural meeting between the two populist leaders.

On trade, Mr Trump demanded fewer barriers for American companies exporting to India with the US President saying that it was “important that barriers be removed to the export of US goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country”.

In turn, Mr Modi said that India was becoming an easier place for American companies to do business in.

“We consider the United States as our primary partner in India’s socio-economic transformation in all our flagship programmes and schemes,” he 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,” added Mr Modi, in reference to Mr Trump’s signature campaign slogan.

The warm exchange of words between the two leaders extended into the evening, when Mr Modi became the first foreign leader to enjoy a White House dinner since Mr Trump came to power. “We enjoy a wonderful relationship, but it’s never been better than it is today,” Mr Trump told Mr Modi at the dinner.

The Indian Prime Minister tweeted yesterday: “Delighted to have met you (Mr Trump) at the White House. Look forward to welcoming you in India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit later this year.”

Although there were no major announcements made during Mr Modi’s two-day visit to America, the Trump administration confirmed it had approved the US$366 million (S$507 million) sale of a C-17 military transport plane to India.

Washington is also set to offer a US$2 billion sale of US-made unarmed drones to help in surveillance of the Indian Ocean.

While ties with some allies have been strained by Mr Trump’s complaints that Washington has been the loser in trade agreements, Mr Modi appears sensitive to his host’s emphasis on transactional diplomacy, and the personal chemistry between the two leaders could prove as important as policy in setting the tone for the future.

US-India relations were generally cool until the 1990s, but they warmed under Mr Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama as India sought greater foreign investment and trade ties.

Shortly after Mr Trump’s election, obstacles emerged on issues such as trade and visas for Indians wanting to work in the US.

Mr Trump then accused India of seeking to profit from the Paris climate accord as he announced the US withdrawal from the deal this month.

A proposed overhaul of H-1B visas — used by thousands of Indian software engineers to work in the US —has caused concern in New Delhi.

But Indian officials have downplayed those differences, insisting that Mr Modi was alert to Mr Trump’s concerns over jobs and trade. AGENCIES