PM Modi calls for global fight against terror, holds talks with Trump and Abe on Indo Pacific

Osaka (Japan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off important agenda for the global community including convening of a counter terror meet and called for measures for strengthening the WTO and fighting protectionism.

On the sidelines of G20 Summit here, Prime Minister held important and ‘productive’ parleys with President Donald Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and had extensive discussions on the Indo-Pacific region.

“Today’s meeting of the JAI Trilateral was a productive one. We had extensive discussions on the Indo-Pacific region, improving connectivity and infrastructure development. Grateful to PM Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump for sharing their views as well,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted later.

In his remarks at the informal meeting of the BRICS leaders and in presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Mr Modi spoke about strengthening of the global trade and financing bodies such as the WTO and called for efforts to fight protectionism and ensuring energy security.

He gave a clarion call to fight terror menace and said it is high time to convene a global conference on the same.

“Terrorism not only takes lives of innocent people....but it also hampers economic progress and poses an adverse impact on social stability,” Mr Modi said.

“Recently, I have made a call for a global conference to discuss various aspects of terrorism. The fight against terror menace should become among the top priorities of the world. I laud the role of Brazil on this,” Prime Minister said.

The Trilateral Japan-America-India (JAI) meeting was second such meeting after the meet in Argentina.

The discussion focused on how the three countries can together work together towards ensuring a rule-based Indo-Pacific region.

“Committed to a better future. Meeting of JAI (Japan-America-India) Trilateral takes place in Osaka. PM Shinzo Abe welcomes the leaders. Trump congratulates Prime Ministers Modi and Abe for their electoral victories. PM Modi highlights the importance India attaches to JAI,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.

After the much talked about bilateral meeting between Mr Modi and the US President Trump, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said - “Essentially the two leaders agreed that they and their (Indian and US) officials will continuously to remain in touch so that the region remains stable”.

“...and I think that is in our interest, it is in the interest of the United States and the interest of the region,” he emphasised.

Foreign Secretary maintained that the contentious S-400 issue on India-Russia defence deal did not figure at the parleys.

“S-400 issue was not discussed...there was an issue of time constraints,” he said.

However, he asserted categorically, - “No one issue is going to impact the larger strategic relation between India and the United States”.

But he said, the issue of India’s defence deal with Russia was addressed by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at a joint press conference with the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Delhi on June 26.

“So that’s where it stands.....no discussion took place (on S-400),” Mr Gokhale made it clear.

For his part on June 26 in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar had underlined that with regard India’s defence preparedness, the government will be guided by the principle of protecting the national interest - a point not entirely disputed Secretary Pompeo.

“We have endeavoured to make sure that our countries can provide security for itself..... we also want India to be able to do that too,” Mr Pompeo had remarked at the press meet in Delhi.

To a question whether India’s position on international affairs especially in the context of defence ties with Russia and India’s own defence preparedness is well understood by the policy makers in Washington, EAM Jaishankar has said: “This (New Delhi meet on June 26) is a start” and there can be always room for more works.

For his part, Mr Pompeo has also said -  “India’s position is well understood in Washington....there is a deep keen appreciation”.

On Friday, echoing similar sentiment, Foreign Secretary said - “....We (India and US) have some issues, we will work through them,” and added emphatically no one issue is going to in any way have ‘any impact’ in ties between the two nations. (UNI)