Modi, Trump Discuss Security, India’s Greater Role in Asia in Manila

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed bilateral relations, security and “future interests of Asia” on Nov. 13 in Manila on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

“Relations between India and US are growing. Our relations go beyond, we are working for future interests of Asia and humanity,” Modi said during the bilateral meet with Trump, ANI reported.

Modi was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, Secretary in charge of Eastern Affairs Preeti Saran, and Vinay Kumar, the Joint Secretary in charge of Southern Global Affairs in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Strengthening global strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi had a warm and productive meeting with President @realDonaldTrump on the margins of 31st ASEAN and related Summits. Discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/2a2oeieneC

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 13, 2017

“I am happy that I have got another opportunity to meet President Trump. India-U.S. ties are becoming broader and deeper and you too can feel that India-U.S. ties can work together beyond the interest of India, for the future of Asia and for the welfare of the humanity in the world. Wherever President Trump has traveled in recent days and wherever he had an opportunity to speak on India, he has spoken optimistically and highly. I also assure that India will try its best to fulfill the expectations that the U.S. and the world has from it,” Modi said in his opening statement of the meeting, according to the Hindu.

The meeting comes days after Trump praised India at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, of which India is not a member yet. This was Modi’s second meeting with Trump after the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in June this year.

Modi also met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Trump, member countries of the Indo-Pacific that form the quadrilateral. The alliance was made to counter Chinese activity in the South China Sea, which China claims as theirs, and its growing influence in Pakistan. The United States has taken a strong stand against Pakistan providing a safe haven to terrorists.

“The discussions focused on cooperation based on their converging vision and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected region that they share with each other and with other partners. They agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The officials also exchanged views on addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferation linkages impacting the region as well as on enhancing connectivity,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on the quadrilateral.

Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan

Meanwhile, India and the United States released statements on the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan on Nov. 13.

The Mission of the United States, Geneva, said, “Repeal blasphemy laws and restrictions and end their use against Ahmadi Muslims and others and grant the visit request of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Pass an anti-trafficking law that prohibits and penalizes all forms of human trafficking.Undertake, track and report the investigation and prosecution of security forces who commit human rights violations and abuses.”

“We commend Pakistan for passing the Hindu Marriage Act, which allows, for the first time, members of the Hindu community to register their marriages. We note increased investigations, prosecutions, and convictions for sex trafficking, and passage of anti-honor killing and anti-rape laws which, if enforced, should reduce violence against women and girls,” the statement said.

India recommended the government of Pakistan to “provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir by ending its illegal and forcible occupation, dismantle Special Terrorist Zones,” among other things.

India’s Statement
on the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan pic.twitter.com/LXEgO2SFom

— India at UN, Geneva (@IndiaUNGeneva) November 13, 2017