PM Narendra Modi dials Donald Trump to talk Af-Pak, trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a 32-minute telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump on Monday, discussed three key issues — trade, cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and developments in Afghanistan as the Afghan peace process enters its final stages.

This is the first conversation between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka at the end of June and also since New Delhi abrogated Article 370.

On Pakistan, according to the Indian government statement, PM Modi said that "extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace."

The Prime Minister also reiterated "India's long-standing and unwavering commitment to work for united, secure, democratic and truly independent Afghanistan." Eight rounds of talks have taken place between Taliban and the US in Doha with US special envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, visiting Delhi three times this year.

Trade also featured in a major way in the conversation, with PM Modi expressing hope that India's commerce minister and the US Trade Representative would meet soon to discuss "bilateral trade prospects for mutual benefit." A US trade team had visited New Delhi to start trade talks in June, but not much has emerged yet, as trade has been a contentious issue with Trump, who has dubbed India "Tariff King".

The White House also said that both sides discussed "regional developments with the President conveying the "importance of reducing tensions between India and Pakistan and maintaining peace in the region."

Zee Media Newsroom