As it happened: the Modi-Trump meet

In a much-anticipated meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi — who is on a three-day visit to the U.S. — will have a one-on-one with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. 
 
Top sources tell Republic TV that the US would reiterate its support for India's NSG bid and a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
 
A Joint Statement by the two leaders is expected after the meeting.

The two leaders are expected to spend about 4-6 hours with each other over different events. Top officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross are expected to be a part of the talks. Continue reading...

In the second leg of his three-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met and interacted with 20 top American CEOs at a roundtable meeting in Washington D.C. and talked about various topics ranging from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Demonetisation and the thrust towards renewable energy among others.
 
Welcoming the CEOs, Prime Minister Modi said that the world is focussed on India's economy. He said a young population and a rising middle class are among the main factors which generate global interest in the Indian economy, especially in areas such as manufacturing, trade and commerce, and people to people contacts. Continue reading...

The Indian diaspora in the United States showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comprehensive speech on Sunday and said his efforts to make a better India are praiseworthy.

Watch | PM's full address to the Indian diaspora

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is holding a meeting with PM Modi. The Prime Minister, earlier, met the Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Pakistan violates ceasefire along the LoC, initiates unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from 2015 hours in BG sector again. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.

Prime Minister Modi's U.S. visit has high stakes. He needs to preserve the gains of the last one decade of economic benefits from growing trade and FDI between India and the US at a time when Trump is threatening these aspects.

The PM also needs to find new sectors in defence and security cooperation to expand the strategic partnership. Continue reading...

"Today @POTUS will welcome the Prime Minister of India, @narendramodi, to the White House" the White House posted on Twitter.

Ahead of the Modi-Trump meet, US Department of State designates Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Here's a statement by the US Department of State:

Department of State has designated Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as (AKA) Syed Salahuddin, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. As a consequence of this designation, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with Salahuddin and all of Salahuddin’s property and interests in property subject to United States jurisdiction are blocked.

Mohammad Yusuf Shah, AKA Syed Salahuddin, is the senior leader of the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). In September, 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley “into a graveyard for Indian forces.” Under Salahuddin’s tenure as senior HM leader, HM has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014 explosives attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which injured 17 people.

Today’s action notifies the U.S. public and the international community that Mohammad Yusuf Shah, AKA Syed Salahuddin, has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism. Designations of terrorist individuals and groups expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other nations.

A list of State Department-designated FTOs and SDGTs is available here: http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/index.htm.

MEA spokesperson Gopal Bagley reacts to the U.S. move to desginate Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist:

"Notification has just come, we will look at that and will see what the specific provisions are. In general, it does vindicate India's long standing position that cross-border terrorism has been behind disturbances created in Kashmir."

Top sources tell Republic TV's Parikshit Luthra that the designation of terrorist Syed Salauhddin could find mention in the joint statement of the PM Modi and President Trump.

"The designation of Syed Salauhddin as a global terror hours before the Modi Trump meeting shows that US willing to work with India on the issue of terrorism," they say.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive at the White House shortly to meet President Donald Trump.

File photo: Getty Images

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the White House, is greeted by POTUS Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

Delegation level talks between India and the US underway in the cabinet room at the White House.

1. I invite you and your family to India,
2. India is committed to peace in Afghanistan, rebuilding that country is our top priority:
3. We have agreed to work closely on boosting maritime trade and cooperation:
4. Our visions are convergent,
5. Most important part of our cooperation would be to end state sponsorship of terror,
6. Trade, commerce and investment are key areas. Technology, innovation and knowledge economy are also areas were are actively looking at: PM
7. Both India and USA are global engines of growth. Eliminating terrorism is among the topmost priorities for us:
8. Our talks today are an important moment in the cooperation between our nations. They have been very crucial talks
9. I would like to thank @POTUS for his kind words about India

1. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism
2. PM Modi invited my daughter Ivanka to lead US delegation to the global entrepreneurship in India, and I believe she has accepted
3. You have a big vision for improving infrastructure and fighting corruption
4. Always had admiration for your country, people, culture, heritage and traditions:
5. Relationship between India and the US has never been stronger