Modi’s US visit ‘very rich and productive’: Ambassador Verma

“This is a very very rich and productive visit,” US Ambassador to India Richard Verma told PTI after the conclusion of Modi’s visit, during which the Prime Minister held meetings with US President Barack Obama and addressed a joint sitting of the Congress.

“I think the takeaway was deepening and broadening of the relationship in so many ways. It was a real testament to our friendship,” said Verma, who was present in most of the meetings Modi had with US government officials including with Obama at the White House on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister said there is a new symphony ready to play,” said the top US diplomat of Indian-origin, referring to Modi’s speech to the Congress.

“Substantively we did so much as well, civil nuclear, defence, climate, energy, new consulates, people-to-people contacts, cyber, trade, across the board,” the Ambassador said referring to various agreements reached during and in the run up to the Prime Minister’s fourth trip to the US.

Verma said the two leaders spent several hours together at the White House on Tuesday.“The mood was exceptionally positive. They had very good discussions on regional issues, economic issues, it’s a whole range. They really had very important set of discussions. I think the mood was quite constructive,” he said.

Observing that defence is the “big part” of India-US relationship, he added that “now we have moved well beyond just defence”.“We have so many other areas. Clean energy finance, education, increasing consular, travel, India’s admission into global entry programme, for example.

 So we are putting into place all those pieces to really make the relationship as the Prime Minister and President said the defining relationship of the century,” Verma said.