'Incredible' trade deal on cards with 'tough negotiator' Modi: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Monday declared that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were set to seal a “very major, among the biggest ever made” trade deals. He also said India should consider making the US its “premier partner in defence deals” from here on.
Trump called Modi a “tough” negotiator. “We are in the early stages of discussions for an incredible trade agreement, and I am sure that by working together, the Prime Minister and I can reach a fantastic deal that is good and brave for both of our countries,” he remarked, as Modi — who was seated on the dais — smiled.

The ‘Namaste Trump’ spectacle was intended as a grand show of solidarity, put together for the US President at the newly constructed Motera stadium. Modi arrived with Trump and his family at around 1:30 pm, after a brief stopover at Sabarmati Ashram to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Trump’s speech, which made several references to “My friend Modi”, mentioned stalwarts and seers such as Swami Vivekananda and Sardar Patel, while underlining India’s religious tolerance as one of its biggest strengths.

Referring to the improving economic ties between the two countries, Trump said commerce between the US and India has surged 40% under him and that India is now a major market for US exports while America is the largest market for Indian exports. “A booming America is great for India and the world. Modi has made some significant reforms in India. The world wants to see more reforms,” he said.

Last year, Trump had called India “a tariff king” and demanded free market access for more American products.

The two leaders are likely to hold delegation-level talks in New Delhi on Tuesday. Trump said the countries will seal defence deals worth $3 billion.

Threat of Radical Islamic Terrorism
“Ours is the most powerful military anywhere in the world. Modi and I both know if we put the interest of our citizens first, we can build a more prosperous world… The US hopes to provide India some of the best military weapons ever made... advanced air defence systems, aeroplanes, missiles, rockets, ships. We make the best, and now, we are dealing with India,” Trump said.

The US President made a pitch for India to buy more American equipment. “I believe the US should be India’s premier defence partner, and that is how we will protect our sovereignty, security and protect the Indo-Pacific.”

Modi and Trump spoke in unison about the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. With the audience cheering the most as he spoke on the topic, Trump said, “Both our countries have been hurt by terrorism. Under my administration, we have unleashed the power of America on the blood-thirsty killers of ISIS. Today, they are destroyed, and Al Baghdadi — the leader of ISIS — is dead.”

Trump said his government “was screening applications for entry to make sure who is a threat to security will have to pay a costly price”.

He, however, struck a conciliatory tone on Pakistan, given that Islamabad is crucial to Washington’s ongoing efforts to firm up a deal with the Taliban to reduce American troop deployment. “My administration is working in a positive way with Pakistan to crack down on terrorist organisations and militants operating from the Pakistani borders.”

The US relationship with Pakistan, Trump said, is a “very good one” and because of which “we are beginning to see signs of partnerships with Pakistan”.

Praise from Trump
The crowd, ferried to the venue in more than 1,000 buses to welcome Trump, cheered on despite the heat, prompting the US President to remark that he and his wife “will never forget the hospitality shown to them”.

Trump also praised the women entrepreneurs who had come to meet him. He said India’s efforts towards the moon mission, Chandrayaan, were impressive and that the US was willing to offer assistance in space programmes. He said Indian Americans had enriched every aspect of American life.

The US economy is better than it ever was, Trump claimed. “To atpromote positive social, emotional and physical habits in children. He also praised Trump’s son-in-law for “doing impactful work behind the scenes”.

Trump said India’s unity, despite the many diversities, was an inspiration for other countries.

He said America “loves” India and is “loyal” to it. “There’s all the difference in the world between a country which seeks to claim power through coercion and aggression, and a country that wants to grow by setting its people free and unleashing their dreams, and that is India,” he said.

Trump’s references to Indian icons — such as Ganges, Golden Temple, Jama Masjid, Himalayas, Goa, Swami Vivekananda and even movies such as DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) and Sholay — elicited loud cheers from the crowd.

tract jobs, the way is to eliminate unnecessary regulations and bureaucracy,” he said.

Modi had a special word of praise for Melania Trump’s work in building a ‘Healthy and Happy America’, a campaign by the First Lady to promote positive social, emotional and physical habits in children. He also praised Trump’s son-in-law for “doing impactful work behind the scenes”.

Trump said India’s unity, despite the many diversities, was an inspiration for other countries. He said America “loves” India and is “loyal” to it. “There’s all the difference in the world between a country which seeks to claim power through coercion and aggression, and a country that wants to grow by setting its people free and unleashing their dreams, and that is India,” he said. Trump’s references to Indian icons — such as Ganges, Golden Temple, Jama Masjid, Himalayas, Goa, Swami Vivekananda and even movies such as DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) and Sholay — elicited loud cheers from the crowd.