Ready for 'Namaste Trump'? What about India's trade and defence deal with the US?

New Delhi, February 21: Two days ahead of the 'Namaste Trump' event scheduled in Gujarat's Ahmedabad where PM Modi and US President Donald Trump are slated to meet a wide cross-section of Indian society, the MEA on Friday noted that India and the US are also likely to discuss issues related to security, counter-terrorism and regional issues, including Pakistan, during Trump's two-day visit.

 

“Thre is strong cooperation between India and the US which reflected in the support we recieved after the deadly Pulwama attack. We expect discussions around security, investment, counter-terrorism and exchange of view on regional and multilateral issues with the US,” MEA Spokeperson Raveesh Kumar said.

 

 

The two leaders, who have met eight times in the past four years, will engage in bilateral discussions on February 25. "The two sides are likely to sign a defence deal", said Kumar. Initial reports suggest that both countries, after earlier imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's imports, are now separately working on a limited trade agreement ahead of the Trump visit. But the government diligently noted that trade deal was unlikely.

 

 

"President Trump will also meet the executives of Indian companies with business interests in the US during his visit to New Delhi at an event organised by the US embassy", he added. On his maiden visit to India as US president, of a little over 36 hours, Trump will first arrive in Ahmedabad on February 24 with First Lady Melania Trump. Highlighting the President’s itinerary, Kumar said the two leaders would inaugurate Motera cricket stadium, the world’s largest, before emplaning for Agra.

The Indian government is going all out to welcome the US president in Gujarat, which had earlier hosted China’s Xi Jinping and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu. Authorities in Ahmedabad are expected to spend around Rs 85 crore on preparing for Trump's visit to the city of about three hours.

 

 

The global strategic partnership between India and the U.S. is based on trust, shared values, mutual respect and understanding, and marked by warmth and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. "The relationship has further evolved under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, with significant progress in all areas including trade, defence, counter-terrorism, energy, coordination on regional and global issues as well as people-to-people ties. The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review progress in bilateral ties and further strengthen our strategic partnership", MEA said in its statement.