Modi-Obama meet on track, McCain assured

Immediate focus on Merkel, BRICS Summit in Brazil

New Delhi: After extracting assurance from the US that snooping will not be repeated, PM Modi is all set for a handshake with US President Barack Obama in September. During his meeting with US Senator McCain on Thursday, Modi hoped for a “forward-looking, result-oriented visit to the US to take the relationship to a new level.”

Ahead of the summit meet with Obama, Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will play host to him forgoing the chance to witness the football world cup, where her country may qualify for the finals on
July 13.

Modi has accepted the invite of the German Chancellor which will be his major meeting with a western power. After a two-day visit to Germany, he will proceed to Brazil for the BRICS Summit, where he will meet the heads of the other four big emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.

The US Senator’s meeting with Modi came just a day after the Centre summoned top US diplomats to lodge a strong protest over the snooping episode.

He also conveyed the keen desire in the US to work with Modi to revitalize the India-US Strategic Partnership.

The PMO, in a statement, asserted, “Prime Minister Modi conveyed his desire to further deepen and expand the strategic partnership with US, based on our shared values and interests; sensitivity to each other`s concerns; and, tangible progress across the full spectrum of bilateral relations.”

Modi took the opportunity to discuss with the US Senator the ongoing turmoil in Iraq and the situation arising in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over the increased threat of terrorism across the world.