In response to a question on India's stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi said, "India is not neutral; it is in favour of peace." PM Modi made his remark in the presence of US President Donald Trump. PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the US, also appreciated Trump's 'national interest supreme' motto, adding, "Like President Trump, it is a great fortune for me to keep the interests of India supreme and work."
During his meeting with Trump, PM Modi congratulated Trump on his election victory, as he added, "People of India gave me an opportunity to serve as PM for the third time. In this term, I have the opportunity to work with President Trump once again for the next 4 years, and it is a great pleasure. I can say from my past experience of working with you in your first term, we will continue to advance India-US strategic partnership with the same bond, same trust and the same excitement"
PM Modi held talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House amid expectations of a raft of specific outcomes including firming up of a new defence framework and boosting cooperation in areas of trade, energy and critical technology.
At his Oval Office, Trump welcomed PM Modi with a warm hug before settling down for the crucial talks, hours after the American President announced a new reciprocal tariff policy for all the trading partners of the US. While announcing the new tariff policy, the President also spoke about how India is "right at the top of the pack" when it comes to tariffs.
Before meeting Trump, the Indian prime minister held separate talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, billionaire Elon Musk and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy.
PM Modi kicked off his two-day visit to Washington DC on Wednesday evening after concluding his trip to France. Ahead of the Modi-Trump meeting, diplomatic sources indicated that the focus of the talks will be on enhancing cooperation in areas of defence, energy, technology, infrastructure and trade.
The Trump administration is particularly keen on expanding Washington's defence sales to India and the two sides may broadly finalise a couple of deals including co-production of Stryker armoured fighting vehicles in India.
(With inputs from PTI)