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India


PM talks to Trump; blames Imran for trying to threaten regional peace; will travel to France, Gulf

PM talks to Trump; blames Imran for trying to threaten regional peace; will travel to France, Gulf

New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) Three weeks after the US President kicked off storm by his 'Kashmir mediation offer' and 14 days after Modi government abrogated an article granted to the militancy hit province, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told Donald Trump that Pakistan leader Imran Khan's "extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence" will harm peace.
"In the context of the regional situation, the Prime Minister stated that extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence by certain leaders in the region was not conducive to peace," an official note said here
Mr Modi highlighted the importance of creating an environment free from terror and violence and eschewing cross-border terrorism without exception though he did not name Imran Khan.

In what is said to be a major diplomatic exercise after Pakistan Prime Minister indulged in tweets and launched virtual propaganda war against India, both Mr Modi and Mr Trump in their thirty-minute conversation covered bilateral and regional matters.
The parleys were "marked by the warmth and cordiality" which characterises the relations between the two leaders," said an official note here.
Prime Minister Modi stated that he "appreciated remaining in regular touch" with President Trump on the developments in the region.
"The Prime Minister recalled their meeting in Osaka on the margins of G-20 summit in end-June earlier this year. Referring to their bilateral discussions in Osaka, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the Commerce Minister of India and the US Trade Representative would meet at an early date to discuss bilateral trade prospects for mutual benefit," the statement said.
Mr Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperate with "anyone who followed this path (eschewing cross-border terrorism) in fighting poverty, illiteracy and disease".
The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s "longstanding and unwavering commitment" to work for united, secure, democratic and truly independent Afghanistan and also recalled that today (August 19) marked one hundred years of independence of Afghanistan.
The Modi-Trump talks happened on a day, it was announced that Mr Modi will undertake a week-long diplomatic outreach with world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron from August 22 and two key Gulf nations-United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
A cornered Pakistani leadership has meanwhile launched a propaganda war trying to suggest that situation was grave in Jammu and Kashmir and the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh, a region dominated by Buddhists.
On August 16, Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat at UNSC when the machination from Imran Khan-led dispensation to get a UNSC censure for India due to abrogation of the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir failed miserably with only China backing Islamabad.
However, Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative to United Nations, made it crystal clear that in order to resume talks with Modi government, Islamabad will have to shun supporting terror and violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Stop terror to start talks," Syed Akbaruddin told journalists including from Pakistan in New York.
"There are normal diplomatic ways of dealing with countries. But using terror to try and push your goal is not the way normal states behave," Mr Akbaruddin has said.
"Please appreciate that we are committed to Shimla Agreement and we hope Pakistan too does the same," he said, adding, however, Pakistan's actions do not seem to be working out with what is in that agreement.
The Indian government measures in J&K have no 'external ramifications', he has said.
"All issues between India and Pak or any other country will have to be resolved bilaterally and peacefully", India's UN envoy has said.

However, in between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that any talks with Pakistan henceforth would include Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir.
Speaking at an event in Pokhran, the site of India’s nuclear tests in 1998, Defence Minister has said: “Till today, our nuclear policy is ‘no first use’. What happens in future depends on the circumstances."

Mr Modi will undertake a week-long diplomatic outreach with world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and two key Gulf nations-United Arab Emirates and Bahrain-at a time when Pakistan, isolated over its Kashmir policy, has launched a propaganda war.
Prime Minister Modi will also visit Biarritz in France from August 25 and 26 at the invitation of President Macron for the 2019 G-7 Summit as ‘Biarritz Partner.'
"During the Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to speak in sessions on Environment, Climate, Oceans and Digital Transformation. On the sidelines, Mr Modi will have bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries," according to an External Affairs Ministry statement here.
Representing 58 per cent of the global net wealth, the Group of Seven (G-7) comprises US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
UN

Mr Modi's interactions-as a group participant and also during bilaterals with the French President and other world leaders- will hold significance as these would come days after the United Nations Security Council did not entertain a Pakistan 'request' to censure the Government of India on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially after the abrogation of Article 370 and the state bifurcated into two Union Territories to provide better governance.
Moreover, the G-7 meet comes ahead of the 74th United Nations General Assembly opening on September 17 as it is presumed that Pakistan could yet again try to rake up the Kashmir issue.

Mr Modi will be an 'invitee' for the G-7 Summit in France. The deliberations between world leaders would include counter-terrorism, deradicalisation and security among other priorities.
President Macron of France is expected to give a major push at the G-7 to provide innovative solutions for global citizens below the poverty line and give children access to schools.
Prior to that, Mr Modi will also pay a two-day state visit to Paris from August 22, Thursday. He will hold talks with French President to strengthen strategic ties in defence, counter-terrorism and other key sectors.

"The bilateral discussions are expected to broadly focus on reaffirming France and India as the key strategic and like-minded partners, strengthening of defence partnership, including future defence acquisitions," Secretary- Economic Relations in MEA-T S Tirumurti told reporters here.
Tradition
The bilateral visit and the invitation to G7 Summit are in keeping with the tradition of strong and close partnership and high level political contacts between India and France.
India and France are Strategic Partners since 1998 and share a comprehensive, dynamic and multi-faceted relationship. "Our two countries have strong cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, space, cyber, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations," an MEA statement said.
On Friday in France, Mr Modi will meet French Prime Minister Edouard Charles Philippe and also address an event of Indian community in Paris.
Prime Minister will also inaugurate a memorial for Indian victims in 1950 and 1966 of two air crashes of Air India flights.
Air India Flight 101 from Mumbai to London accidentally flew into Mont Blanc in France on January 24, 1966, reportedly caused by a misunderstood verbal instruction from the radar controller to the pilot.
President Macron will also host a working dinner for the visiting leader on Thursday evening.
Gulf tour
From France, PM Modi will proceed for bilateral visits to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. He would return to the French city of Biarritz on August 25 to attend the G7 Summit.
India has been invited this year at the G7 as a partner country.
Mr Modi, who will be paying two-day visit to the UAE on August 23 and 24, will be conferred with the country's highest civil decoration Order of Zayed.
The prestigious award was announced earlier in April 2019 in recognition of "leadership of Prime Minister Modi for giving a big boost to bilateral relations between the two countries".
Mr Modi would also be paying a state visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from 24-25 August 2019. This will be the first-ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Bahrain.
"India enjoys close and friendly relations with Bahrain rooted in ancient trade and cultural links and people to people contacts and underpinned by regular exchange of high level visits. India-Bahrain bilateral trade has been on the rise for the last few years, reaching about US$ 1.3 billion in 2018-19. Further about 3,50,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in Bahrain has been contributing to the development of Bahrain," the MEA said here.

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