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Prime Minister visited USA & Mexico in the list of 5 Nations visit – Overview

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After the successful visit to Afghanistan, Qatar and Switzerland, Prime Minister arrived in USA during the five days visit from 4th June 2016.

Delegates: Prime Minister of India NarendraModi and President of the United States of America Barack Obama

Arrived on 6th June 2016PM Modi visit to Belgium, USA and Saudi Arabia - An Overview

Venue: White House, United States

The Delegates were discussed about the following matters related to strategic partnership between the nations and agreed to grab new opportunities

  1. To strengthen economic growth and sustainable development
  2. To Promote peace and security in and around the world
  3. To enhance inclusive, democratic governance and respect for universal human rights
  4. To provide global leadership on issues of shared interest

Note: Previous Visits of Prime Minister to United States: September 2014 and January 2015

Prime Minister made his last day to Mexico and had discussion with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto

The Delegates were discussed about the inclusion of India into the Nuclear Supplier Groups Membership.

Arrived on 8th June 2016

The following agreements were discussed:

  • Economic Partnership
  • Bilateral Cooperation
  • Dialogue on Global Affairs

ii. India-US inked 8 Memorandum of Understandings to strengthen economic growth & sustainable development

The Prime Minister of India and President of United states were signed the 8 agreements related to various key areas such as

  • Exchange of terrorist screening information
  • Cooperation on Energy Security
  • Clean Energy
  • Climate Change
  • Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking
  1. Exchange of Terrorist Screening Information
  • The Nations should be provided with privilege to get into terrorism screening information through the approved contact points abide to domestic laws and regulations
  • It would enhance the counter terrorism cooperation between India and the United States
  • Signed between the Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the United States
  1. Cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change

Objective:

To improve the collaboration between the nations regarding on energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change through

  • Enhanced bilateral ties
  • Future initiatives for installing sustainable growth

3. Collaboration on Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking:

It pursues cooperation between two nations on

  • Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics
  • Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation
  • Conservation Awareness
  1. Enhancement of an International Expedited Traveller Initiative:

Under the initiative, pre-approved and low risk travellers are allowed to get expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States at Selected Airports through Automatic Kiosks.

The Facility would be extended on joint examination and clearance by Nations

Programme: US customs and Border Protection Programme

  1. Technical Planningrelating to Unclassified Maritime Information Sharing:

Signed between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy

Arrangements

Sharing of unclassified information on White Shipping between the nations under respective national laws, regulation and policies

Provides outline for mutually useful maritime information

  1. Cooperation in Gas Hydrates:

Signed between the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Department of Energy of the United States

Focus: Understanding of the geologic existence, distribution and production of natural gas hydrates along the continental margin of both nations.

  1. Information Exchange Annex (IEA) to the Master Information Exchange Agreement:

Related to Aircraft Carrier Technologies

Focus:To increase data and information sharing relating to aircraft carriers technology between the nations.

  1. Logistics Exchange:

Focused at assisting mutual logistic support between both nations for authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

iii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed US Congress

On Addressing at US congress, the Prime Minister mentioned the issues from Climate change to terrorism, defence and security cooperation to trade and economic partnership

Invited by: House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan

Features of Address:

  • NarendraModi became India’s sixth Prime Minister to speak at the US Congress
  • Honoured the soldier’s courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy on occasion ofseventy-second Anniversary of the D-Day
  • The impact of the U.S. constitution was reproduced in drafting of the Indian constitution
  • India – US Civil Nuclear Co-operation made tremendous changes in the relationship which was passed Congress in 2008
  • Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to India
  • American Universities refined the education in Institutes of Technology and Management in India
  • By 2022,Prime Minister wished to achieve in following areas including
    • A vibrant rural economy with robust farm sector
    • Electricity to all households
    • To skill millions of our youth
    • Build 100 smart cities
    • Have a broad band for a billion and connect our villages to the digital world
    • Developingrail, road and port infrastructure
  • India and the U.S. have jointly increased the strength in science, technology and innovation to help fight hunger, poverty, diseases and illiteracy in different parts of the world

iv. Documents signed/finalized in the run up to the visit of Prime Minister of India to the US

S.NoTitleDescriptionSignatoriesDate/Place of signature
1Arrangement between the Multi-Agency Centre/Intelligence Bureau of the Government of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the Government of the United States of AmericaIndia and the US shall provide each other access to terrorism screening information through the designated contact points, subject to domestic laws and regulations and it will enhance the counter terrorism cooperationIndia: Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Union Home SecretarySigned in New Delhi on
US: Mr. Richard Verma, Ambassador of the United States of America to India02-Jun-16
2Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)between the Government of India and the Government of the United States of AmericaTo enhance cooperation on energy security, clean energy and climate change through increased bilateral engagement and further joint initiatives for promoting sustainable growth.India: Shri P.K. Pujari, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India
US: Mr. Richard R Verma, Ambassador of the United States of America to India
Signed in New Delhi on
02-Jun-16
3Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Government of India and Government of the United States of AmericaTo enhance cooperation in areas such as Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics; Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation; and Conservation Awareness, between India and the US for wildlife conservation and management and combating wildlife trafficking.India: ShriArun K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the United States of AmericaSigned in Washington DC on
US: Ms. Catherine A. Novelli, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment02-Jun-16
4Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security of the United States 

The Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection programme, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. After joint scrutiny and clearance by both countries, the approved Indian travelers will be extended the facility of expedited entry into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

India: ShriArun K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the United States of America
US: Mr. Kevin K. McAleenan, Deputy Commissioner, US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
Signed in Washington DC on
03-Jun-16
5Technical Arrangement between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy concerning Unclassified Maritime Information SharingThe Arrangement would allow sharing of unclassified information on White Shipping between India and the US as permitted by respective national laws, regulations and policies, and provides a framework for mutually beneficial maritime information.India: Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff US: Vice Admiral Ted N. Branch, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information WarfareSigned through Diplomatic Channels on 26 May 2016
6Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and the Department of Energy of the United States of America

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.India: ShriArun K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the United States of AmericaSigned in Washington DC on
US: Christopher A Smith, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Department of Energy06-Jun-16
Documents finalized
7Information Exchange Annex (IEA) between the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the Department of Defense of the United States of America to the Master Information Exchange AgreementAimed to enhance data and information sharing specific to aircraft carriers technology between India and the US.
8Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the Department of Defense of the United States of AmericaAimed at facilitating mutual logistic support between India and the US for authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training and HA-DR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief). 

 

 

v. India’s membership of NSG dominated meet between PM NarendraModi and US President Barack Obama

Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to President of United States to support of India’s inclusion in Nuclear Suppliers Group and Mission Technology Control Regime.

Delegates had two hour dialogue at the White house and discussed the ties on Regional Security, Terrorism, Cyber Security, Climate Change, Clean Energy and Economic Partnership

Features of Inclusion in NSG and MTCR:

  • To have civil nuclear Cooperation
  • Access to latest Technology

vi. India, US agreed to initiate domestic processes to ratify Paris climate deal

On approval over 190 countries in December 2015, both nations initiated domestic processes to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change.

Initial step in civil nuclear cooperation, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd has initiated to build six reactors in Gujarat by June 2017 with the help of Nuclear reactor builders.

The delegates were agreed to implement the Paris Agreement with effectively and ensure that climate financing will be embarked with vision for solar energy and clean energy

The Paris Agreement

177 signatories have been registered and 17 countries have ratified

At 6.96 per cent of the total global emissions, India ranks fourth after China, the U.S. and the EU on the list of polluters

vii. UN chief welcomed Indo-US commitment to join Paris agreement

United Nations Chief Ban Ki- Moon welcomed the initiatives taken by India and The United states to sign the Paris Climate Agreement.

  • He encouraged framing the policies to lower down the greenhouse gas emission
  • Chief wished to implement the Paris Agreement as soon as possible to deal with climate change and their issues.
  • He advised to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions through the Montreal Protocol, The International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly and the G20 Summit

viii. India, Mexico to uplift ties to strategic partnership

The Prime Minister and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto have signed to uplift their partnership and also extended support for inclusion of India into Nuclear Suppliers Group

The Mexican Government has also supported to India’s International Solar Alliance Initiative which was discussed at the Paris Climate deal in 2015.

Agreements Discussed:

  • To enhance trade and Investment between two nations
  • To expand the commercial, Science and Technology
  • Widen the collaboration in the fields of Space and Agricultural research
  • Priotitise the projcts such as Bio technology, waste management, disaster warning and management and solar energy
  • Encouraging the necessity of Cooperation in pharmaceutical products, energy, automobile sector, Information and Communication Technology, agriculture, food processing

vii. India-Mexico Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to Mexico

  1. Improve the bilateral relations in Economic field, Science and Technology
  2. President mentioned the structural reforms and Prime Minister has highlighted the initiatives taken by the Union for the economic growth
  3. Inculcated the Foreign ministers to initiate the framework of the Partnership fit for the 21st Century in ahead of the Seventh Mexico-India Joint Commission meeting to be held in Mexico in 2016.
  4. Strengthening of bilateral talks in the areas of Culture, education and tourism
  5. Exchanged the ideas of National Digital Strategy of Mexico and the Digital India Initiative as well as remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Mexico was the final stop in Prime Minister’s five-nation tour