Modi-Obama meet: Climate change, terror, UNSC reforms top agenda

NEW YORK: The climate has changed in the India-US relations, and it was palpable in sunny smiles and warmth seen between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama as they met for the third time in a year. Conjuring up an upbeat picture of the defining partnership of the 21st century, the two leaders discussed an entire spectrum of issues ranging from climate change and economic ties to counter-terrorism, cyber security and the UN Security Council reforms.

With the deck cleared for the launch of text-based negotiations for UN Security Council reforms, Mr Modi was reassured by President Obama of the US’ support for India’s long-standing ambition for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. “I thanked President Obama for supporting India’s permanent membership of a reformed UNSC,” Mr Modi said in a joint media appearance with President Obama.

Mr Modi also conveyed his appreciation for the US’ support for India’s membership of top global nuclear export regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, within targeted timeframe.

The big takeaway from the September 28 meeting was a growing convergence between the world’s leading democracies to work together proactively to ensure successful global climate summit in Paris in December. Mr Modi underlined that India shared an uncompromising commitment to climate change and revealed plans to upscale the share of renewables in India’s overall energy mix.

The US-India partnership also acquired greater strategic heft with the two countries unveiling plans to ramp up cooperation in the Asia-Pacific theatre and collaborate closely to counter terrorism and radicalization. With the Islamic State unleashing mayhem across the region, one can expect the two countries to be more deeply engaged in thwarting insidious designs of extremist outfits slaughtering innocents in the name of medieval ideologies.

Author Profile

Manish Chand: Manish Chand is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) and India and World, a pioneering magazine focused on international affairs. He is CEO, Centre for Global India Insights, an India-based think tank focused on global affairs.