Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with the US President Donald Trump in Osaka, Japan ahead of the G-20 Summit on June 28. Both the sides discussed Iran, 5G communications networks, trade and defence ahead of the G-20 summit.
The ongoing tension between Iran and the US has worried the world leaders with a fear that a new conflict might take shape in the Middle East.
The US last year pulled itself out of a 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and six world powers over Iran’s “malign activity” and reimposed unilateral sanctions on the country. Trump further warned that countries doing business with Iran will not be allowed to do business with the US. To curb Iran’s crude oil export, US has also ended waivers this year which allowed top buyers of Iranian oil, including India to continue their imports for six months. India has complied with the US sanctions and has stopped importing oil from Iran.
Discussing on Iran, Trump said, “We have a lot of time. There’s no rush, they can take their time. There is absolutely no time pressure.”
This is the first meeting between both the leaders after Modi won for the second term. Trump congratulated Modi on his landslide victory and said that it was a big victory. Trump appreciating Modi’s ability to unite said that he remembers the initial days of Modi as PM and how there were many factions and they were fighting with each other, and now they go along. He said, “It’s a fantastic tribute to you and your abilities.” Trump himself is preparing for his re-election which is scheduled for November 3 next year.
Trump also said that he and Modi have become great friends, and the relation between the two countries has never been this better. He also stressed that in the coming years, both the countries will work together in various sectors, including the military. India has recently made an arms deal with Russia.
The interaction between Modi and Trump comes at a crucial time when both countries had multiple disagreements. Earlier, the US withdrew its Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) benefit from India, which impacted India’s export of $ 5.6 billion. Following this India has raised tariffs on 28 items, including almond, pulses and walnut that are exported from the US.
Trump had earlier demanded the withdrawal of tariffs imposed on these goods and was looking forward to discussing the matter with PM Modi. In a tweet, he said that high taxes on US products is “unacceptable”.
I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tariffs against the United States, just recently increased the Tariffs even further. This is unacceptable and the Tariffs must be withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2019
Trump has also criticised India for high import tariff on the Harley Davidson motorcycles, though he acknowledged Modi as “good friend” after India slashed the tariff rate from 100 to 50 percent.
Also Read: India’s Tariffs Unacceptable: Trump Lashed Out At Modi Govt
