Modi, Trump pledge to work 'continuously' for peace in the Gulf region

Osaka (Japan), Jun 28  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Donald Trump held their bilateral talks - first since Mr Modi's re-election with a massive mandate - here on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and both the leaders laid emphasis on maintaining stability in the Iran region.

"Essentially the two leaders agreed that they and their (Indian and US) officials will continuously remain in touch so that the region remains stable...and I think that is in our interest, it is in the interest of the United States and the interest of the region," Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters after the bilateral talks.

Foreign Secretary maintained that the contentious S-400 issue on India-Russia defence deal did not figure at the parleys.
"S-400 issue was not discussed...there was an issue of time constraints," he said.

However, he asserted categorically, - "No one issue is going to impact the larger strategic relation between India and the United States".  

But he said, the issue of India's defence deal with Russia was addressed by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at a joint press conference with the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Delhi on June 26.


"So that's where it stands.....no discussion took place (on S-400)," Mr Gokhale made it clear.


On Iran, Mr Gokhale said the "primary focus was on how we ensure stability in that region".


"Instability affects us in many ways. Not just in terms of our energy needs ....but also in terms of our large diaspora in Gulf, eight million Indians in the Gulf," he said.


Foreign Secretary underlined that India's relationship with the United States is very deep.

"....We have some issues, we will work through them," he maintained adding emphatically no one issue is going to in any way have 'any impact' in ties between the two nations.

Foreign Secretary said both the leaders had "very open meeting and very warm discussions".

Despite Iran-US conflict, there is need for continuous supply of oil: PM Modi

Osaka (Japan), Jun 28 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a strong pitch for ensuring that there is unhindered and continuous supply of oil at a reasonable price and maintained that Saudi Arabia has an important role to play on this front.


Answering questions at the media briefing here on the sidelines of G20 Summit where Prime Minister is holding a series of bilateral meetings, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters: "Iran was not discussed specifically in talks between PM and Saudi Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud".


But he went onto clarify that - ".....what was discussed was that Prime Minister indicated that we need to have a continuous supply of oil at a reasonable price. He (Modi) felt Saudis have a critical role to play in ensuring this".


Prime Minister thanked Saudi Arabian leadership for ensuring that as of now there is a 'balance' in the oil market.


Foreign Secretary further said - "In a sense there was an underlining concern conveyed that the instability that is happening in the Gulf should not adversely impact".



In the context of oil import by India, he also pointed out that India has already reduced oil import from Iran and Venezuela.



"But the subject of Iran as such did not come up for discussions between Prime Minister Modi and the Saudi crown prince," Mr Gokhale clarified.

All data debates and framing of rules must be done in WTO context: India

Osaka, Jun 28 (UNI) India on Friday asserted that given the importance the data storage would have in times to come especially in an era of digital economy, all the discussions and debates on data should be held in the WTO context as the movement of data is certainly "one form of trade".

"We would like the international rule making on data to be based on WTO context, because movement of data is actually one form of trade," Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters here after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of key engagements including an Informal Meeting of the BRICS leaders.

Mr Gokhale said that India's position on the issue - that is also "shared" by BRICS countries that any negotiation on data should not be held in grouping outside the WTO context.


".....be that be G20 or group of countries within the WTO or individual countries who take position," he laid emphasis on.


"This is important as in the future when the digital economy grows, the flow of data will be critical to trade," Mr Gokhale said adding therefore the rule making must involve all countries.

The developing countries must be given the 'latitudes' while making of international rules to deal with the data.

In a Joint Statement on the BRICS Leaders' Informal meet, it has been also stated that the BRICS
recognises the importance of the interface between trade and the digital economy.

"We also affirm the role of data for development. We are committed to transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive international trade. Protectionism and unilateralism run counter to the spirit and rules of the WTO. We reaffirm our commitment to multi-lateralism and international law, and our full support to the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its center," the statement said.

The BRICS leaders pledged to work constructively with all WTO Members on the necessary reform of the Organization, with a view to better addressing current and future challenges in international trade, thus enhancing its relevance and effectiveness, the statement said.