In ‘open meet’, Modi, Trump talk trade, 5G, Iran issues

Modi, who is in Osaka, Japan to attend the G20 Summit, thanked President Trump for expressing his “love towards India” in a letter delivered by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week. The Prime Minister said that India stands committed to further deepen economic and cultural relations with the US and the two leaders discussed Iran, 5G, bilateral relations and defence ties on the sidelines of the summit.

Briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the meeting was “very open and productive”. On Iran, the foreign secretary said Modi outlined India’s energy concerns as well as worries over peace and stability in the region. He pointed out that although Iran supplies 11 per cent of India’s energy, it has reduced oil imports from Iran though it has affected the Indian economy.

On the issue of 5G telecommunications technology, Modi and Trump discussed the technical and business opportunities that this new area provides for cooperation between India and the US. The Modi-Trump meeting assumes significance as the US president,championing his ‘America First’ policy, has been a vocal critic of India for levying “tremendously high” duties on US products.

Modi and Trump also “aired” their concerns over the bilateral trade disputes and agreed for an early meeting of their commerce ministers to sort out the issues, a day after the US leader demanded withdrawal of the “very high” tariffs levied by India on American goods.