Expressing optimism over the India-US relationship after his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that the US and India will try to make progress in Defence and civil nuclear cooperation when President Barack Obama visits India as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. Kerry said both the countries will create a healthier, more secure and prosperous future.
At a Press conference on Monday at Mahatma Mandir on the sidelines of Gujarat’s flagship biennial event, Vibrant Gujarat, Kerry said that during his discussions with Modi, they reviewed the Indo-US economic relationship and ways to take it ahead.
Pointing out that President Obama would be the first sitting US President to visit India twice during his tenure, Kerry said that most likely the discussions between Modi and Obama would include economic and civil nuclear cooperation, Defence, terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
“We will try to make progress on issues like Defence agreements, civil nuclear agreement as well as economic ties,” Kerry told reporters here giving the outlines of the discussions with Modi.
“We are also working together to strengthen maritime security. We are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are committed to regional dialogue on key political and security issues,” he said.
After the landmark nuclear deal between the two countries in 2008, cooperation in the sector has been stalled over the tough provisions in the Civil Nuclear liability Act that have come as a dampener for foreign operators.
Kerry said the US also hoped to sign a landmark climate change agreement with India in Paris at the end of this year. “I know that this topic would be part of President Obama’s discussions with the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit,” he added.
Kerry also praised Modi’s thrust on raising India’s energy production. “The Prime Minister has a very ambitious plan that every home in India should have electricity 24X7. We hope, we can do a great deal to help with that. We also discussed working together on maritime security, anti-terrorism measures and key political and strategic issues,” he added.
Kerry was all praise for Modi saying that as “Gujarat Chief Minister Modi made his reputation by turning his State into an economic powerhouse and if that can be extrapolated to the rest of India and dealings with all countries, we all benefit.”
He indicated that US companies were keen to do business in India. He also praised the palpable entrepreneurial interest he had seen in the people of Gujarat during his visit to Ford’s car manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, early on Monday.
Commenting on the Paris terrorist attack, he said that the US has been sincerely engaged with France right from the moment the terrible event took place and continues to provide all possible assistance.
Talking about the new Sri lankan president, he said that the transfer of power was on expected lines and Sri lanka had a peaceful change of power. He however said that problems with respect to human rights, inclusiveness and governance need to be addressed.
Ahead of his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Geneva this week, Kerry said he hoped to accelerate the progress on complex nuclear negotiations. Kerry said he would hold talks with Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva on Wednesday, hoping to “accelerate the process to make greater progress.”
Iran and six powers, the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, are hoping to agree on a framework by March and a final agreement by June 30 that would address international concerns that Iran is using a civilian atomic energy programme to hide efforts to develop nuclear weapons. A charge Iran vehemently denies.
Under the terms of the interim deal, the US and other nations are providing relief to Iran from sanctions, looking to ease and eventually lift the penalties if Tehran agrees to a final pact and complies with it.