PM Modi meets US legislators ahead of S-400 delivery

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met a US Congressional delegation led by Senator John Cornyn which included Senators Michael Crapo, Thomas Tuberville and Senator Michael Lee besides Congressmen Tony Gonzales and John Kevin Elizey Sr.

Senator Cornyn is the co-founder and co-Chair of the Senate Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

The visit of the US congressional delegation comes weeks before Russian President Putin arrives in Delhi against the backdrop of a pending legislation in the US Congress seeking waiver for India from US sanctions for its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence system.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to hold talks with PM Modi on December 6 which coincides with the broad timeline for the commencement of delivery of the S-400 system.

“The Congressional delegation noted the excellent management of Covid situation in India in-spite of the challenges of a large and diverse population. The Prime Minister noted that people’s participation based on democratic ethos of the country played a key role in managing the worst pandemic of the last one century, said an official news release.

PM Modi also appreciated the consistent support and constructive role of the US Congress in deepening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership.

“There was a warm and frank discussion on regional issues of mutual interest, including those related to South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. The PM and the visiting delegation noted the increasing convergence of strategic interests between the two strategic partners and expressed desire to further enhance cooperation with an aim to promote global peace and stability,’’ added the official news release.

The Prime Minister also exchanged views on the potential for enhancing the bilateral relationship and strengthening cooperation on contemporary global issues such as the terrorism, climate change and reliable supply chains for critical technologies.

On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met the Senators and Congressmen. “A productive exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and regional issues, including Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan,” he said before emplaning for Dubai.