PM Narendra Modi reaches Washington, President Trump calls him 'a true friend'

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on Sunday on the second leg of his three-nation visit, where he will meet the US President Donald Trump for the first time when he steps into the White House on Monday afternoon.  Beginning Monday afternoon, the two leaders would spend several hours together in various settings including one-o- one, delegation level, a reception and conclude with a working dinner. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "true friend," President Donald Trump has said he looks forward to the Indian leader's visit to US. "Look forward to welcoming India's PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!," Trump posted from his official (@POTUS) Twitter handle. The two leaders will hold talks on Monday afternoon in the White House and would spend several hours together in various settings including one-on-one and delegation level meetings, a reception and a working dinner. The working dinner that Trump is hosting for Modi is the first of its kind under the administration. "The White House is very interested in making this a special visit. We're really seeking to roll out the red carpet. In fact, the two (leaders) will have dinner, a working dinner at the White House. "This will be the first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under this administration. So, we think that's very significant," a senior administration official told reporters at the White House. The Modi trip, the official said is an opportunity to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, which Trump very much views as a critical partnership in promoting stability and security in the Asia Pacific region and globally. "We anticipate that their discussions will be broad- ranging, hitting on a variety of regional and global issues that would seek to advance our common priorities, including fighting terrorism, promoting economic growth and prosperity," the official added. Noting that the US is very much interested in facilitating India's defence modernisation, and helping to enhance its role as a leader in the Asia Pacific, the official said the Trump Administration believes that a strong India is good for the US. "Now, of course, we've seen rapid growth in the defence and security partnership over the last few years, and President Trump very much wants to build on that momentum. And last year's designation of India as a major defence partner was extremely important, and I think we'll see a concrete expression of this important designation during this visit," said the senior White House official. The Trump Administration, the official said, believes that defence trade strengthens both the countries' security, it reinforces the strategic partnership, and it allows their armed forces to cooperate more closely and improve their interaction with one another. Observing that this defence trade has supported thousands of American jobs, the official said since 2008, India has signed over $15 billion in defence contracts with the US. Counter-terrorism would be another major area of discussion. "The US and India are both committed to combating all forms of terrorism and strengthening their cooperation in areas like terrorist screening, intelligence and information sharing, terrorists' use of the Internet, and, of course, terrorist designations," the official said. "I think we can expect to see some new initiatives on counter terrorism cooperation," the official said. Among other things, Modi and Trump will also be discussing global cooperation and things like burden-sharing. (With PTI inputs)