As it happened: PM Modi meets Prez Obama, holds talks at White House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House on Tuesday to meet US President Barack Obama in a low-key nod to the improved ties between the world’s biggest democracies.

US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the start of preparatory work on six nuclear reactors in India, a key step in closing the first deal stemming from a US-India civil nuclear accord struck over a decade ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. (Twitter/MEA India)

• India, US Export-Import Bank “to work together toward a competitive financing package” for nuclear reactors: India-US joint statement
• Site design of six nuclear reactors in India to begin “immediately”: India-US joint statement
• Obama, Modi confirm Nuclear Power Corporation Of India and Westinghouse will finalise contractual arrangements by June 2017.
• “India has made a name for itself as fastest growing economy in the world. Will work together for world’s peace and security” -- Modi
• “We have discussed a range of issues of cooperation today from business and technology to governance” -- Modi
• “India is a young country and we are aware of the talent it has. We will continue to work together in the future too” -- Obama
• “India and USA have strong bonds” -- Obama
• “Will meet again in G20 ,will fulfil dream of climate justice.Our friend Obama extended support to MTCR and NSG ; will always be grateful” -- Modi
• “India is a young country, over 800 million of Indians below age of 35. Our youth power in partnership with US will serve mankind” -- Modi
• “We are working shoulder to shoulder; we are proud. Will continue working together” --Modi
• “Want to thank my close friend President Obama,we discussed a range of issues. Also thank US Congress for inviting me” -- Modi
• “We discussed progress made on nuclear civil cooperation” -- Obama
• “We discussed regional security issues; we wish to work together on cyber security” -- Obama
• “I have fond memories of India when I took part in Republic Day” -- Obama

For Modi, Tuesday’s visit was a time to set the seal on what has been achieved and set the stage for what he hopes will be a mushrooming in US-India trade from $120 billion to $500 billion.

Read: Smart politics or true friendship? Understanding the Modi-Obama equation

For Obama, who will step down from office in January, it was a matter of his legacy -- friendship with India and inroads into its huge market are a victory for his so-called “pivot to Asia.”

Relations between the countries are not always easy -- India insists on staying out of formal alliances and forging its own course -- but both leaders can boast that ties have improved.

Modi was scheduled to meet with US business leaders and members of the three million strong Indian-American community after meeting Obama.

Officials played down the chances of major announcements during the visit, but noted that India is very close to a deal with US electric giant Westinghouse to build a nuclear plant.

Another potential arena for greater cooperation is in the military and security arena.

India has made the United States its main arms supplier -- spending $14 billion over the past five years -- but also spends heavily with French, Israeli and Russian suppliers.

The two countries are negotiating a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), although it is not clear whether a final draft will be ready for Modi to sign on his visit.

This arrangement, long-sought by Washington, will allow the two militaries to seek supplies and spare parts from each other’s bases.

Singh did not say whether agreement was imminent -- India also wants deals to acquire advanced US arms technology -- but noted that Indian and US troops now train together regularly.

With inputs from agencies