US EXPECTS MAJOR GROWTH IN TIES AFTER PMTRUMP MEET

The White House said on Monday that when President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet later in June, they can be expected to set forth a “common vision” for expanding the US-India “partnership” in an “ambitious and worthy way”.

The two leaders, who have spoken over phone three times since Trump’s election last November, will finally meet on June 26 here in Washington DC during Prime Minister Modi’s short two-day visit starting June 25, both sides announced separately in New Delhi first and then in Washington DC.

President Trump looks forward to strengthening ties and “advancing our common priorities — fighting terrorism, promoting economic growth and reforms and expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region”, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said.

He added, in response to a question, that the two leaders can be expected to set forth a “vision that will expand the US-India partnership in an ambitious and worth way”.

Announcing the meeting earlier on Monday, the ministry of external affairs had said in New Delhi, “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 United States.”

Terrorism is expected to figure significantly on the agenda of both countries, according to officials and experts.

The issue of America’s H-1B visas for highly skilled foreigners could be next for India, and for the United States, it could be economic ties and trade.

Citing sources, Reuters news agency reported from New Delhi that the two sides will be looking to move forward with deals such as unarmed drones that India wants for its navy.

Equally important, the two leaders will use the meeting to strike a personal rapport for the future.