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Narendra Modi address US Congress

    Modi address to the joint sitting of US Congress on June 08, 2016

Washington, June 8, 2016
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Today's Agreement allow US Westinghouse  to Start work on six AP 1000 reactors in India- The US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation, also known as the 123 Agreement, was signed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then US President George W. Bush on July 18, 2005.

Malicious cybersecurity threats: US India agreed cooperation to promote closer cooperation between their law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and also to share information

US and India eight agreements:

  1. To enhance the counter-terrorism cooperation: To exchange of terrorist screening information between Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the US
  2. To enhance cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change.
  3. To enhance co-operation in Wildlife Conservation and Combating Wildlife Trafficking- Examples: Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics; Natural World Heritage Conservation
  4. MoU  between the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of India's Ministry of External Affairs and US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security- pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States
  5. MoU To enhance cooperation between the Indian Navy and the US Navy-Maritime Information Sharing beneficial maritime information.
  6. MoU was inked between India's Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry
  7. Defence cooperation to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers between India and the US.
  8. To facilitate mutual logistic support between India and the US for port visits, joint exercises, joint training and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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Modi praises Indian Americans

 Washington, June 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the joint sitting of US Congress on Wednesday, praised the manifold contributions of the Indian-American community to the US.

“Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans,” Modi said.
“They are among your best CEOs, academics, scientists, economics, doctors, even spelling bee champions,” he said eliciting standing applause from the US lawmakers.
He also mentioned the popularity of yoga and said India has not yet claimed intellectual property rights for it.
“SIRI (Siri Peterson Cavanna yoga classes) tells us that India's ancient heritage of yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the US,” the Prime Minister said.
“And, we have not yet claimed intellectual property rights on yoga,” he stated adding a touch of humour.
Modi is the fifth Indian Prime Minister after Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atul Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to address a joint sitting of the US Congress.

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India, US ink eight agreements, to boost defence, counter-terror cooperation

Washington, June 8 -India and the US inked eight agreements, including in the sphere of defence and energy cooperation and counter-terrorism after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama in the White House here.



The first one is for exchange of terrorist screening information between the Multi-Agency Centre/Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the US under which the two sides shall "provide each other access to terrorism screening information through the designated contact points, subject to domestic laws and regulations".

The arrangement will enhance the counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, said a statement.

The second is a MoU to enhance cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change through increased bilateral engagement and further joint initiatives for promoting sustainable growth.

Another MoU is to enhance co-operation in Wildlife Conservation and Combating Wildlife Trafficking in areas such as Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics; Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation; and Conservation Awareness.

Another MoU is between the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of India's Ministry of External Affairs and US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security for the Development of an International Expedited Traveler Initiative - the Global Entry Programme, which is a US Customs and Border Protection programme.

The programme allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. After joint scrutiny and clearance by both countries, the approved Indian travellers will be extended the facility of expedited entry into the US through automatic kiosks at select airports, the statement said.

The fifth agreement is a Technical Arrangement between the Indian Navy and the US Navy concerning Unclassified Maritime Information Sharing that will allow sharing of unclassified information on White Shipping as permitted by respective national laws, regulations and policies, and provides a framework for mutually beneficial maritime information.

A MoU was inked between India's Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry and the Department of Energy of the US for cooperation in Gas Hydrates.

The MOU aims to increase the understanding of the geologic occurrence, distribution, and production of natural gas hydrates along the continental margin of India and in the US.

In defence cooperation, an Information Exchange Annex (IEA) was held between the Ministry of Defence and the US' Department of Defense regarding Aircraft Carrier Technologies. The IEA is aimed to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers between India and the US, it said.

The final one was a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement between the two defence ministries aimed at facilitating mutual logistic support between India and the US for port visits, joint exercises, joint training and HA-DR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief)…. IANS

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India, US to enhance cooperation in cybersecurit

Washington, June 8- India and the US stressed on cooperation on cyber issues, including to promote closer cooperation between their law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and also to share information on a real time on malicious cybersecurity threats and establish appropriate mechanisms to improve such information sharing.

A fact sheet on the framework for the US-India Cyber Relationship, issued during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Tuesday, says that cooperation on cyber issues is a key component of the bilateral relationship between India and the US.

Both sides recognise the value of enhancing and further institutionalizing their broad-based cooperation on cyber issues, and in that respect, intend to complete a framework based on the following shared principles and intended forms of cooperation.

Sharing information on a real time or near real time basis, when practical and consistent with existing bilateral arrangements, about malicious cybersecurity threats, attacks and activities, and establishing appropriate mechanisms to improve such information sharing;

Developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of ICT infrastructure and information contained therein consistent with their respective obligations under domestic and international law;

Promoting cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity-related research and development, cybersecurity standards and security testing including accreditation process, and cybersecurity product development, including further consultations on such issues;

Elaborating and implementing practical measures that contribute to the security of ICT infrastructure on a voluntary and mutual basis;

Continuing to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime including through training workshops, enhancing dialogue and processes and procedures, and setting up consultations as needed;

Improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies through joint training programs, including equipping them to draft appropriate requests for electronic evidence in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the United States and India;

Undertaking skill development and capacity building programs jointly in the fields of cybersecurity, efforts to combat cybercrime, digital forensics, and legal frameworks;

Promoting the applicability of international law to state conduct in cyberspace and further exploring how it applies to state conduct in cyberspace.

Promoting voluntary norms of responsible state behavior in peacetime, including the norms identified by the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security;

Committing to voluntary norms under which A state should not conduct or knowingly support online activity that intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs the use of critical infrastructure to provide services to the public,

A state should not conduct or knowingly support activity intended to prevent national CSIRTs from responding to cyber incidents. States should also not use CSIRTs to enable online activity that is intended to do harm,

A state should cooperate, in a manner consistent with its domestic law and international obligations, with requests for assistance from other States in investigating cyber crimes, collecting electronic evidence and mitigating malicious cyber activity emanating from its territory.

A state should not conduct or knowingly support ICT-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information, with the intent of providing competitive advantages to companies or commercial sectors;

Cooperating mutually on telecom security related issues such as telecom equipment security standards and testing, including accreditation of entities;

Developing a common and shared understanding of international cyber stability, and destabilizing cyber activity;

Discussing and sharing strategies to promote the integrity of the supply chain to enhance user's confidence in the security of ICT products and services.

Continuing to promote dialogue on incident response best practices;

Facilitating joint tabletop exercises covering priority cybersecurity scenarios to advance specific cooperation.

Supporting the multistakeholder model of Internet governance;

Continuing our dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, including ICANN, IGF and other venues, and to support active participation by all stakeholders of the two countries in these fora;

Holding consultations and taking steps towards improving the effectiveness of transnational cybercrime cooperation;

Strengthening critical Internet infrastructure in India;

Working to ensure shared understanding of technology access policy, including dual use technologies sought to be controlled by either country, including through such mechanisms as the bilateral High Technology Cooperation Group.

The complete Framework for the US-India Cyber Relationship, is expected to be signed within 60 days.

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N-joy: US firm to finally start work on nuclear power plants in India

Washington, June 8 - The civilian nuclear agreement signed between India and the US over a decade ago has finally borne fruit with the two sides deciding to start preparatory work on six nuclear power plants in India following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.
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The US also recognised India as a major defence partner.

"Culminating a decade of partnership on civil nuclear issues, the leaders welcomed the start of preparatory work on site in India for six AP 1000 reactors to be built by Westinghouse and noted the intention of India and the US Export-Import Bank to work together toward a competitive financing package for the project," a joint statement issued following Tuesday's talks between the two leaders said.

"Once completed, the project would be among the largest of its kind, fulfilling the promise of the US-India civil nuclear agreement and demonstrating a shared commitment to meet India's growing energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels."

The US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation, also known as the 123 Agreement, was signed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then US President George W. Bush on July 18, 2005.

The AP 1000 is a nuclear power plant designed and sold by Westinghouse, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba.

"Once completed, the project would be among the largest of its kind, fulfilling the promise of the US-India civil nuclear agreement and demonstrating a shared commitment to meet India's growing energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels," the joint statement said.

"Both sides welcomed the announcement by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, and Westinghouse that engineering and site design work will begin immediately and the two sides will work toward finalising the contractual arrangements by June 2017."

The statement said the US and India shared common climate and clean energy interests and were close partners in the fight against climate change.

"Leadership from both countries helped galvanise global action to combat climate change and culminated in the historic Paris Agreement reached last December," it stated.

India was also elevated to the status of a major defence partner of the US which, apart from sending a strong message to the world, will also act as a catalyst for defence production under the Make in India initiative.

"Noting that the US-India defence relationship can be an anchor of stability, and given the increasingly strengthened cooperation in defense, the United States hereby recognises India as a Major Defence Partner," the joint statement said.

According to the statement, both Modi and Obama expressed their desire to explore agreements which would facilitate further expansion of bilateral defence cooperation in practical ways.

"In this regard, they welcomed the finalisation of the text of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)," it said.

The US would continue to work towards facilitating technology sharing with India to the same as level as it does with its closest allies and partners.

"The leaders also committed to enhance cooperation in support of the Government of India's Make in India Initiative and expand the co-production and co-development of technologies under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI)," the statement said.

Cyber security also came up for discussion between Modi and Obama and this was reflected in the joint statement.

"They committed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity and welcomed the understanding reached to finalise the framework for the US-India Cyber Relationship in the near term," it said.

Both the leaders reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism.

"They resolved to redouble their efforts, bilaterally and with other like-minded countries, to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism anywhere in the world and the infrastructure that supports them," the statement said.

In terms of boosting business and economic cooperation, both the leaders also agreed to substantially increase bilateral trade.

"In order to substantially increase bilateral trade, they pledged to explore new opportunities to break down barriers to the movement of goods and services, and support deeper integration into global supply chains, thereby creating jobs and generating prosperity in both economies," the statement said…..IABS

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India, US ink eight agreements, to boost defence, counter-terror cooperation

Washington, June 8- India and the US inked eight agreements, including in the sphere of defence and energy cooperation and counter-terrorism after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama in the White House here.

The first one is for exchange of terrorist screening information between the Multi-Agency Centre/Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the US under which the two sides shall "provide each other access to terrorism screening information through the designated contact points, subject to domestic laws and regulations".

The arrangement will enhance the counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, said a statement.

The second is a MoU to enhance cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change through increased bilateral engagement and further joint initiatives for promoting sustainable growth.

Another MoU is to enhance co-operation in Wildlife Conservation and Combating Wildlife Trafficking in areas such as Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics; Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation; and Conservation Awareness.

Another MoU is between the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of India's Ministry of External Affairs and US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security for the Development of an International Expedited Traveler Initiative - the Global Entry Programme, which is a US Customs and Border Protection programme.

The programme allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. After joint scrutiny and clearance by both countries, the approved Indian travellers will be extended the facility of expedited entry into the US through automatic kiosks at select airports, the statement said.

The fifth agreement is a Technical Arrangement between the Indian Navy and the US Navy concerning Unclassified Maritime Information Sharing that will allow sharing of unclassified information on White Shipping as permitted by respective national laws, regulations and policies, and provides a framework for mutually beneficial maritime information.

A MoU was inked between India's Petroleum and Natural Gas ministry and the Department of Energy of the US for cooperation in Gas Hydrates.

The MOU aims to increase the understanding of the geologic occurrence, distribution, and production of natural gas hydrates along the continental margin of India and in the US.

In defence cooperation, an Information Exchange Annex (IEA) was held between the Ministry of Defence and the US' Department of Defense regarding Aircraft Carrier Technologies. The IEA is aimed to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers between India and the US, it said.

The final one was a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement between the two defence ministries aimed at facilitating mutual logistic support between India and the US for port visits, joint exercises, joint training and HA-DR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief)….IANS

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Modi, Obama promise to work together for world's sake

Washington, June 7- Building on their close personal bonding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama on Tuesday promised to work together for the sake of global peace and security and the benefit of developing countries.

"India has made a name for itself as the fastest growing economy in the world," Modi said in a joint address to the media with Obama following bilateral talks in the Oval Office of the White House.

"We (India and the US) will work together for the world's peace and security," he said.

The Prime Minister said the two sides discussed a range of issues of cooperation from business and technology to governance.

"In the last two years, India and the US worked shoulder-to-shoulder on issues like nuclear security, global warming, counter-terrorism, and Paris (climate) agreement," Modi said.

"Today, we discussed about taking our economy to new heights and about cyber security."

The Prime Minister described India as a young country with 800 million people under the age of 35.

"India and the US can work together to use this talent and youth power for the welfare of the world," he said.

He also stressed India and the US have been cooperating on global issues such as nuclear security, global warming and terrorism. …IANS

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Modi also thanked Obama for his support to India's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Obama said India and the US were the largest democracies in the world.

"Our wider cooperation will be helpful for developing countries of the world.

"India is a young country and we are aware of the talent it has. We will continue to work together in the future too," he said.

The President also said the two sides discussed about the progress made in the bilateral civilian nuclear agreement and India's membership of the NSG.

"We also discussed about nuclear technology falling into wrong hands," he said.

Obama later hosted a lunch in honour of Modi.

This was the seventh meeting between Modi and Obama as Prime Minister and President.

Modi arrived here on Monday from Switzerland on his second bilateral visit to the US after his trip in September 2014.

He is visiting the US at the invitation of Obama, who in the last year of his presidency is inviting a few world leaders with whom he shared a "close and productive working relationship".

Later on Tuesday, Modi is scheduled to attend a meeting of business leaders and address the annual general meeting of the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

After arriving here on Monday, Modi visited the Arlington National Cemetery and laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial.

He then attended a meeting with heads of US think tanks.

Modi later took part in function in which some valuable Indian artifacts were repatriated.

"We are very grateful for government of the US and the President for returning a part of our culture. This heritage inspires us for the future," he said.

During her address at ceremony of Repatriation of Cultural Property, US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said: "Today (Monday) we begin the process of returning more than 200 stolen cultural objects back to India."

The highlight of Modi's visit this year will be his address to a joint sitting of the US Congress on Wednesday.

He will be the fifth Indian Prime Minister to address the US Congress after Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

In a special gesture, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan will host a lunch in the Prime Minister's honour.

A joint reception is also being organised by the Senate, the House of Representatives and the India Caucus.

Later on Wednesday, Modi will leave for Mexico on the fifth and final leg of his five-nation tour.

Prior to Switzerland, he visited Afghanistan and Qatar....IANS

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Modi demonstrated Indian leadership on climate change: White House

Washington, June 7 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come in for praise from the White House over India's fight against climate change ahead of his meeting with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, addressing a briefing on Monday, said that Modi has demonstrated a "lot of leadership" on the issue of fighting climate change.

"Obviously, this is a situation where Modi demonstrated a lot of leadership, even in the face of a difficult political climate back home. He committed India to standards that will be good for the Indian population... (and) will be good for the rest of the world, too," Earnest said ahead of Modi's meeting with Obama, who has been championing the fight against climate change.

Earnest said Obama acknowledges the important role India played in making commitments to climate change agreement in Paris.

The US President has a lot of respect for the way Modi has handled the issue, and both the leaders will discuss about what more the US and India can do to advance the climate agenda, Earnest told the reporters.

Earnest said that he expects Modi and Obama to discuss the economic ties between the US and India.

"The economic relationship between the US and India is an important one, and it is a relationship that benefits both our citizens," he said.

"We have seen, in recent years, greater and closer coordination between US and Indian national security officials. The President is certainly interested in trying to deepen and strengthen those ties because it would enhance the national security of both our countries."

When asked if Obama was going to work hard in convincing the Indian leader to ratify the agreement so that it goes into force, Earnest said: “I don't know whether or not the President will be making that specific request.”

He said India has played a significant role in helping the international community come to an agreement, and the US expects New Delhi to continue playing an important role in the international community in making progress even beyond the agreement reached in December 2015.

India has set up a very ambitious renewable energy target of 175 GW operation capacity by March 2022....IANS