Now for the moment it looks Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be meeting US President Donald Trump after so much of uncertainty over the Climate pact with US withdrawing from the green effort. This would be the first meeting between the two which would looks like to set forth a vision to expand the US-India ties especially in fighting terrorism and expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders of the world’s two largest democracies with a combined population of 1.6 billion will meet on June 26 at the White House to discuss a gamut of bilateral issues, including India’s concerns over possible changes in H1B visa rules. The Indo-Pacific region includes the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbours in multiple disputes over islands. For New Delhi, the Modi-Trump discussions will provide a new direction for a deeper bilateral engagement. Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US. The bilateral talks appear to be no bed of roses as they come amidst thorny issues like US’ plans to reduce the number of H-1B visa slots that are mainly used by Indian IT workers, and its withdrawal from the historic climate accord. Notably, Modi’s US visit, which would begin on June 25, comes in the backdrop of Trump’s announcement to withdraw the US from the historic Paris Climate Agreement signed by over 190 other countries. Trump had blamed India and China for the US withdrawal. Strongly rejecting Trump’s contention, India said it signed the Paris deal not under duress or for lure of money but due to its commitment to protect the environment. But India has made its stand clear on the climate pact. Defence ties is where the probability of enhancing trade and business cooperation is being looked into. This segment would interest Americans more as India is the defence item buyer in the world. The deal would give new hope to Americans slow industrial pace also.
