New Delhi: There was no discussion on the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) between visiting U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the two leaders did speak about religious freedom, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said here on Tuesday.
At a briefing here on President Trump's visit to India, Mr Shringla, in reply to a question, said that pluralism and diversity -- being a common factor -- did come up during discussion between the two leaders in a positive way.
On trade, the Foreign Secretary said there was useful and comprehensive discussion and there was an appreciation that it increased steadily year on year over the last few years.
He said that a noticeable decline in adverse trade balance from 30 billion dollars a few years ago to 25 billion dollars today. The adverse trade balance is gradually eroding with the greater amount of acquisitions that India is making from the U.S., he said.
Stating that India-US partnership has encompassed an extraordinary increase in both exchanges as well as cooperation in various security domains, he said that on security and defence there was an understanding that the two countries have a strong strategic partnership and that is now referred to as comprehensive strategic global partnership.
Mr Shringla said the two leaders shared that there has been a great deal of positive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
''Recently, we have had two groups of envoys visiting J&K including Kenneth Juster, US Ambassador to India,'' he said.
He said Prime Minister Modi and President Trump decided to move towards what was referred to as a 'big deal' in the trade sector. The two leaders decided that the ongoing discussions should be concluded as soon as possible and give it a legal framework and the text could be finalized with legal vetting as soon as possible.
Mr Shringla said there was a noticeable decline in adverse trade balance from 30 billion dollars a few years ago to 25 billion dollars today.
“The adverse trade balance is gradually eroding with the greater amount of acquisitions that we are making from US,'' he added.
On a question on the issue of H-1B visa, Mr Shringla said,'' From our side, the issue of H-1B visa was raised. It was pointed that Indian professionals contribute significantly to the development of high tech sector in the United States.''
He said there was also discussion on the 'people to people' aspects of the relationship.
‘'There is a vibrant community of Indian origin in the United States that contributes both to the society and economy there,'' he maintained.
The Foreign Secretary said the partnership between the two countries has encompassed an extraordinary increase in both exchanges as well as cooperation in various security domains.
On the agreement between US and Taliban representatives to secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, Mr Shringla said,''Peace and stability in Afghanistan is important for us...''
Giving an overview of the discussion between the two leaders, Mr. Shringla said that both PM Modi and President Trump conducted over five hours of talks and energy emerged as one of the most important areas of bilateral cooperation.
He said that talks were held in five major categories of security, defence, energy, technology, and people-to-people contact.
India-US have also decided to set up a working group on narcotics, and to reinvigorate homeland security.
"President Donald Trump has assured highest consideration to India for procurement, technology, joint collaboration in defence sector," he said.
