Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought United States’ support to complete the United Nations reforms within a fixed time frame and cooperation for India's early membership of Asia Pacific Economic Community, during a meeting with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly but climate change dominated their hour-long conversation.
"Much of our discussion today focused on the upcoming climate conference in Paris," Mr. Obama said, adding: "We agree that this is a critical issue for the world, and all of us have responsibilities. We are encouraged by the aggressive nature of Mr Modi's commitment to clean energy."
"President and I share an uncompromising commitment on climate change, without affecting our ability to meet the development aspirations of humanity. We have set ambitious national agendas," the Prime Minister said, adding that both leaders looked forward to a "comprehensive and concrete outcome in Paris with a positive agenda," which will ensure "access to finance and technology for the developing world." The progress on meeting these objectives will be the crucial test for bilateral relations in the coming months. "What I said is that I really believe that India's leadership at this conference will set the tone not just for today but for decades to come," Mr. Obama said.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Mr. Modi brought the 'climate of negativism' that surrounds climate change negotiations and sought to turn the debate into a positive format that will nudge developing countries to adapt cleaner development models by providing them access to technology and capital.
While Mr Modi said India-US partnership was driven by economic ties, Mr. Obama said: "We also had a chance to talk about trade and investment," adding that Mr. Modi is hoping that Indian Americans can contribute to India's growth.
Mr. Obama had during his India visit in January declared his support for India's admission into APEC, and that will be a key, tangible milestone for bilateral ties. The PM and the President reviewed progress on the issue and Mr. Modi said: "To further increase our strategic engagement in the region, I look forward to working with the U.S. for India’s early membership of Asian Pacific Economic Community."
Both countries were keen on emphasizing India's APEC membership as part of the Joint Strategic Vision on Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions. Mr. Modi also underscored the importance of joint engagement with regional partners like Japan. "This will also strengthen our maritime security cooperation," he said. After the Obama-Modi bilateral in September 2014, both countries had decided to promote the joint consultations with Japan to ministerial level, and the first one will take place in New York next week.
Mr. Swarup termed the back to back meeting that Mr. Modi had with British Prime Minister David Cameron and French François Hollande as 'power Monday,' and said climate change was on the agenda of all three meetings.
Cooperation in counter terrorism, particularly, in concluding the pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, and India's long-pending demand for membership of four global export control regimes also figured in Mr. Modi's conversation with Mr. Obama. Mr. Swarup said the "take away from the meeting was the continuing and increasing personal chemistry between the leaders who address each other by first name." "So we very much appreciate his friendship and his partnership," Mr. Obama said.
