Modi & Obama look to strengthen Indo-US defence ties; PM invites US defence firms to invest in India

NEW DELHI: Expressing confidence in the potential of strengthening Indo-US ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said, "We will further our defence ties; I invite US defence companies to manufacture in India."

In a joint address, PM Modi and US President Barack Obama touched upon many issues including terrorism and trade facilitation.

"I have sought continued use of US markets for Indian services companies," Modi said. Inviting US investment in India, Modi sought to assure, "We are focusing in India on not only policy but also processes."

Talking about trade facilitation and the WTO stand-off, Modi said, "India supports trade facilitation, but I also hope that we are able to find a solution to our food security concerns."

Modi said after his Oval Office talks with Obama that the pair had had a "candid" discussion on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). "US is an integral part of our Look East, Link West policy," Modi added.

"We are serious about resolution of issues on both sides to enable civil nuclear energy cooperation to take off," Modi said.

Thanking Obama and US citizens for their warm welcome, Modi invited the US President and his family for a visit to India. "I was very happy to meet US President Obama. I am happy that we are meeting each other within a few days of our countries' Mars mission," Modi said.

"I have seen extraordinary excitement among people about Indo-US ties. I thank them for their hospitality, " Modi concluded.