‘Indo-US policies will impact world’

Before his departure from Gandhinagar, where he had gone to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, US secretary of state John Kerry told reporters, “We will try to make progress on issues like defence agreements, civil nuclear agreement as well as economic progress,” while giving an outline of the proposed Obama-Modi discussions.

“We are also working together to strengthen maritime security. We are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are committed to regional dialogue on key political and security issues,” he said.

Speaking about his meeting with Mr Modi, Mr Kerry said, “I had productive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Obama is honoured to be invited as a chief guest at the Republic Day parade and is going to be the first sitting President to be on a visit to India for the second time. We expect to sign a landmark climate change agreement with India in Paris at the end of this year. And I know that this topic would be part of President Obama’s discussion with the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit.”

Mr Kerry said the fact that this is the second visit of Mr Obama after Mr Modi’s visit to Washington displays the value both countries place to the criticality of the relationship.

“During my meeting with Prime Minister Modi we reviewed the progress of our economic relationship and discussed steps on how to take it to the next level,” Mr Kerry said. “I have seen ups and downs of the relationship (between India and US) in the last 30 years,” he said, adding, “We have heard about talks of promise of this relationship, but now it is being totally implemented.”

“Four top ranking visits by US ministers... I am back here and President Obama is going to come on the second visit (to India) represents the fact that we are all invested in this relationship as we recognise what this moment offers to us and also what it demands of us,” Mr Kerry said.

“I am convinced that India and US will create healthier, more secure and prosperous environment not just for us but surely our policies will have impact on the world,” he said.