Modi-Obama Meet: India is 'major defence partner', says Obama

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the US President Barack Obama at his Oval Office In Washington yesterday. The usual bonhomie was at display as the leaders shook hands and hugged. This was Modi’s second meeting with the outgoing president this year. The meeting lasted for almost an hour, following which the two leaders issued a joint statement. There was a lot of expectations about the meeting as Modi on his current tour of five nations is trying to reach out to countries (the US, Switzerland and Mexico) to support India’s bidding to join the elitist Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG).

The major highlights of the joint statement are:

• In the joint statement, the US referred to India as a "major defence partner", which means India will enjoy a similar status as that of other American allies. The new status is likely to boost India’s Make in India initiative with sharing of technological know-how  
• The outgoing President reiterated his support for India's membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
• The President also hinted at support for India’s bidding at Australia Group (group to control spread of chemical and biological weapons) and Wassenaar Arrangement (regime to restrict proliferation of conventional and dual-use technologies)
• The President also assured of continued cooperation with India in it's fighting against terror and promised to work together to punish the perpetrators of Pathankot terror attack. Officials from both the sides will explore new areas of collaboration at the US-India Counterterrorism Joint Working Group
• Further, on nuclear cooperation the US is going to construct six American nuclear reactors in India
• Both sides inked six agreements, covering sharing of terror intelligence, clean energy, defence, regional security, cyber security, people-to-people contacts and investments.  
• To support India's clean energy initiatives, the US has promised US$ 600 million to tap solar power and other renewable sources
• The leaders also spoke on ways to iron out contentious issues with the Civil Nuclear Agreement
• The President also thanked India, without which the historic climate change Paris Pact would not have been possible