‘Modi’s US visit to help advance common interest in fighting terror’

Washington, June 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Washington visit would strengthen the Indo-US relationship and help advance the common interest in fighting terrorism and promoting economic growth, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar here.

Secretary Tillerson met Foreign Secretary Jaishankar on Friday to discuss the US-India relationship and the agenda for Prime Minister Modi’s meetings at the White House on June 26, a State Department spokesman said.

“The Secretary noted the Prime Minister’s visit will strengthen ties between the United States and India and advance our common interest in fighting terrorism, promoting economic growth and prosperity, and expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” the spokesperson said.

The two agreed that the two countries had a deep and growing strategic partnership and hoped to work more closely on regional and global issues, the official said in response to a question.

Jaishankar also met other senior officials at the State Department.

Jaishankar, a former Indian ambassador to the US, has been playing a leading role in shaping the India-US relationship under the Modi government.

Modi’s US visit would begin on June 25.

Modi will be meeting President Donald Trump for the first time on June 26 in Washington. PTI