Modi, Trump consolidate comradeship
| Date :25-Sep-2019 |
UNITED NATIONS :
Basking in mutual appreciation and comradeship and extending the warmth of the ‘Howdy Modi’ event two days earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, engaged their respective nations in deals of lasting importance in a great show of solidarity on global issues. Meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump called Modi a ‘rockstar as popular as Elvis ... and Father of India’. Modi reciprocated the sentiment by describing Trump as his personal friend and America a principle-based ally with high and proven reliability The two leaders’ meeting that evoked much expectations saw discussions on diplomatic as well as trade issues and emerged with promises of enduring commitment to fighting menaces like terrorism.
They also exchanged promises to stand by each other while dealing with strategic challenges on multiple fronts. Prime Minister Modi wore a faint smile on his face when Trump talked of Kashmir as an issue in which he would not like to mediate but expected the two countries to settle matters mutually. Trump also stressed that the US would soon have a comprehensive trade deal with India covering a lot of areas of mutual interests. “You have a great PM, he will solve all problem,” Trump said, responding to a question from an Indian journalist. In turn, Modi said, “I am thankful to my friend Trump that he came to Houston”, and added that he was happy to have met the US President three times in a little over a hundred days after returning to power for the second term.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, Trade and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and others. President Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and other officials. Modi presented a framed photograph from the 'Howdy, Modi' event to President Trump, who thanked him for the gesture.