New Delhi: India and the US on Tuesday decided to take their relations to the level of comprehensive global strategic partnership.
After holding delegation level talks for nearly two hours at Hyderabad House here on the second day of the maiden visit of the US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India-US ties as the most important partnership of 21st century.
In a joint statement, Mr Modi said that the two sides discussed every important aspect of US-India partnership, be it defence and security, energy strategic partnership, trade or people to people ties. He said that strengthening defence ties between India and US is an important aspect of the partnership.
In his statement, President Trump announced expansion of defence cooperation with agreements for India to purchase more than US $ 3 billion of advanced American military equipment, including Apache and MH-60 Romeo helicopters which are finest in the world and will enhance joint defence capabilities of the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi said that Commerce Ministers of both the nations have had positive talks on trade. ''Both of us have decided that our teams should give legal shape to these trade talks. We also agreed to open negotiations on a big trade deal,'' he said.
Mr Modi said the most important foundation of the special India-US relationship is people to people contact and described the ties as being ''people-centric''. He said that professionals, students and the Indian diaspora in the US have a major contribution in strengthening ties.
Hailing cooperation with the US in homeland security and counter-terrorism, Mr Modi said both India and the US have resolved to step up efforts to make those responsible who support terrorism, narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
On his part, President Trump said that he and PM Modi discussed the importance of a secure 5G wireless network and the need for this emerging technology to be a tool for freedom, progress, prosperity.
On the much-touted trade deal, Mr Trump said the two sides have made tremendous progress for a comprehensive trade agreement. ''I am optimistic we can reach a deal of great importance to both countries''. He pointed out since he took office US exports to India have gone up by nearly 60 per cent and exports of high quality American energy have also grown substantially.
On tackling terrorism, President Trump said in his discussions both he and Mr Modi affirmed their countries' commitment to protecting their citizens from radical Islamic terrorism. In this effort the US is also working productively with Pakistan to confront terrorists who operate on its soil, he said.
Mr Trump announced at the joint briefing that the US International Development Finance Cooperation, a government agency that finances private development projects, will establish a "permanent presence" in India.
In his statement, the US President also referred to his magnificent welcome in Gujarat on Monday when he began his first visit to India.
''Melania and I have been awed by the majesty of India and the exceptional generosity and kindness of the Indian people,'' he said.
"I know that our two nations will continue to achieve new breakthroughs, unlock new potential and forge even brighter futures in the years ahead. We think we are at a point where our relationship is so special with India, it has never been as good as it is right now,'' he said.
