New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged US President Donald Trump to take forward the discussion on the totalisation agreement, saying it will be in mutual interest of both the countries.
After talks between the two sides, Modi said the most important foundations of this special friendship between India and America are our people-to-people relations and lauded the role of diaspora in the US.
"Be it professionals or students, Indian Diaspora has been the biggest contributor to this in the USA. These ambassadors of India are not only contributing to the economy of USA with their talent and hard work. Rather, we are also enriching American society with their democratic values and rich culture.
"I have requested President Trump to take forward the two sides' discussion on the totalisation agreement on social security contribution of our Professionals. It will be in mutual interest," Modi said in a statement.
The totalisation agreement is an international social security pact that eliminate dual social security taxation, both in the home country and in the nation where an employee works.
India has been pressing for for an early conclusion of the totalisation agreement or Social Security Agreement with the US. It aims to protect interests of professionals of Indian-origin who contribute more than $ 1 billion each year to the US social security.
If and when it is signed, the agreement would exempt professionals of both the countries from social security taxes when they go to work for a short period in the other country.
