Narendra Modi, Barack Obama decide to push strategic cooperation

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama today decided to "further refine" the Indo-US strategic partnership while pushing ahead with cooperation in the areas of security, counter-terrorism, defence, economy and climate change.

During the talks, Modi underlined the need for concrete outcomes at the upcoming global conference on climate change in Paris even as Obama said India's leadership at the meet will set the tone for decades to come.

"We discussed how we can further refine our strategic vision," said Obama after the hour-long talks, third between the two leaders in over a year.

He said the two leaders discussed how to move forward in various areas like security, economy, trade and investment as also cooperation to defence procurement.

"On all these issues, the Prime Minister has been an outstanding partner," Obama said.

Appreciating the US President's "friendship, vision and commitment for the relationship", Modi said the bilateral partnership addresses a broad range of strategic and security concerns - counter terrorism, cyber security, training.

"Our defence cooperation, including defence trade and training is expanding. As existing terrorism threats grow and new ones emerge, we have resolved to further deepen cooperation on counter-terrorism and radicalism," the Prime Minister said.

With regard to climate change, both Obama and Modi expressed their commitment to meet the challenge faced by the world.

"Much of our discussion today was focussed on the upcoming Climate Conference in Paris. We are encouraged by the aggressive nature of Prime Minister Modi's commitment to clean energy," the US President said about the meet beginning November 30.

"I think India's leadership in the upcoming conference will set the tone not just for today but for decades to come," he said, adding he has confidence in the ability of the two countries to partner with other large countries like China in this regard.

Modi said, "President and I share an uncompromising commitment on climate change, without affecting our ability to meet the development aspirations of humanity. We have both set ambitious national agendas."

Pressing the need for developing mechanisms to ensure affordable as well as accessible sources of clean energy, the Prime Minister said, "We look forward to comprehensive and concrete outcome in Paris with a positive agenda on combating climate change.

He said the outcomes of the Paris meet should focus on access to finance and technology for the developing world, especially the poor countries and small island states.

"I also thank President Obama for his positive response to my call for a global public partnership for developing affordable clean energy sources that will enable faster adoption of clean energy across the world," he said.