Indian media exposes Modi’s claims regarding success in US visit

NEW DELHI (92 News) – Indian media itself exposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claims of success during the US visit. In its report, ThePrint – India’s digital news platform – has stated that No trade deal, no Kashmir win, no investment but the Modi-led BJP government celebrating his return from US. According to the report of Indian media, Narendra Modi Saturday returned home to a rousing welcome from BJP party workers and supporters despite not having secured the much-touted trade deal with the US. Also, the issue of Kashmir became further complicated between him and US President Donald Trump despite a massive spectacle of bonhomie between the two leaders at ‘Howdy, Modi!’. Prime Minister Modi scored clear nil in the most contentious issue of trade during his weeklong trip to America. Trade has undoubtedly become an unavoidable stumbling block in the relationship, even as both sides continue to fiercely fight out trade disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO), ThePrint said. “On the issue of Kashmir, too, Prime Minister Modi could not extract much from his ‘friend’ Trump. While Trump continued the rhetoric of mediating the Kashmir issue between New Delhi and Islamabad unabashedly, the US also demanded ‘rapid action’ in easing restrictions in Jammu Kashmir, and urged India to hold elections at the earliest opportunity,” the digital web portal said. During his bilateral meeting with Modi, President Trump told the Prime Minister that to the US, Iran is a bigger concern as far as terrorism is concerned than Pakistan. He also said in front of Modi that the Indian prime minister and his counterpart Imran Khan will “get along well” if they meet, it added. This was the third meeting between Modi and Trump in the Modi’s second term. But it was an anti-climax when President Trump’s parting shot to PM Modi was: “I think Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Khan will get along when they get to know each other. I think a lot of good things will come from that meeting.”

No Trade Deal

Prime Minister Modi scored clear nil in the most contentious issue of trade during his weeklong trip to America. Trade has undoubtedly become an unavoidable stumbling block in the relationship, even as both sides continue to fiercely fight out trade disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While it is true that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal continues to brainstorm along with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington DC, a so-called ‘limited’ trade deal remains as elusive as it was before Modi’s visit. “Prime Minister Modi was not even able to restore a waiver from US’ high duties on Indian shipments of steel and aluminium during his mega visit,” it further said. It was widely expected that the GSP would be restored during Prime Minister Modi’s trip, and it seemed all the more plausible after ‘Howdy, Modi!’, but eventually it turned out to be a damp squib. This despite Trump being a “true, warm, friendly and accessible” friend of Modi’s. Prime Minister Modi was not even able to restore a waiver from US’ high duties on Indian shipments of steel and aluminium during his mega visit.