Agenda set for Prime Minister Modi’s first meeting with President Donald Trump later this week

Setting the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later this week, India on Thursday raised the issue of continued American military assistance to Pakistan and sought an end to cross-border terrorism. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Official Spokesperson Gopal Baglay pointed out that Pakistan diverts U.S. military aid to target India, even as India’s Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the U.N. Security Council to deal with the “adversary” that provides “safe haven” to terrorists who target Afghanistan.

“U.S. officials are aware of our view which essentially is that the military aid (to Pakistan) is diverted for use against us. Relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. is a relationship between two sovereign countries but we have conveyed our concerns regarding military assistance to Pakistan,” said the Official Spokesperson of MEA Gopal Baglay who also explained that problems with Pakistan remain a bilateral issue without the possibility of a third-party intervention.

Earlier, Syed Akbaruddin in a statement at the U.N. Security Council hinted at Pakistan and called for urgent action to stop the current wave of violence in Afghanistan. “Clearly, the international community is dealing in Afghanistan with an adversary who is not averse to flagrantly violating international humanitarian and human rights law… where are these anti-government elements getting their weapons, explosives, training and funding from? Where do they find safe havens and sanctuaries? How is it that these elements have stood up against one of the biggest collective military efforts,” said Mr. Akbaruddin.

The strongly worded statement went on to point out that the UNSC has often failed to condemn terror incidents in Afghanistan,which was echoed subsequently by Afghan officials.

PTI adds:

U.S. drones for India

The U.S. has cleared the sale of 22 drones to India, government sources said on Thursday, a deal being termed as a “game changer” ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here for his meeting with President Donald Trump. The deal is estimated at about $3 billion.