Washington, June 28 : President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden meeting at the White House sent a clear message around the world that the Indo-US ties are going to be “substantially closer”, Energy Secretary Rick Perry has said.
“There was a picture yesterday that I happened to see, that I thought was very reflective. And it was of these two individuals (Trump and Modi) embracing each other. I think that was a clear message around the world that the United States and India are going to be substantially closer,” Perry told reporters at a White House news conference.
Energy is going to play a “very, very important” role in that, said Perry, who a day earlier attended the White House dinner hosted by Trump in honour of Modi.
The camaraderie between Modi and Trump was on full display as the two leaders heaped praise on each other, voiced appreciation for each other’s leadership and embraced more than once at the White House.The two leaders underlined the close ties between their countries, with Trump saying India has a “true friend” in the White House.
Talking about the working dinner, the first for a foreign dignitary at the White House under the current administration, Perry said in the energy sector LNG (liquefied natural gas), clean coal and nuclear energy cooperation was discussed.