PM Modi, Nikki Haley discuss India-US counter-terrorism cooperation

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including on counter-terrorism.

Both the dignitaries discussed ways to enhance India-US cooperation, including on counter-terrorism and in multilateral fora. They expressed confidence that strong India-US partnership would continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity.

Ambassador Haley, meanwhile, also noted the deepening relations between India and the US, particularly in strategic and defence sectors.

During the meeting, Haley conveyed greetings from US President Donald Trump while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also requested her to express his best wishes to President Trump.

Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for President Trump's South Asia and Indo-Pacific strategies and commended his initiative for denuclearization of Korean Peninsula.

The 46-year-old diplomat, who is the highest-ranked Indian-American in US President Donald Trump's administration, will also meet senior Indian Government officials, NGO leaders among others and discuss a host of topics including India-US strategic ties and significant global developments.

On a related note Haley also met External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj.

She arrived in India on Tuesday. Her visit comes a few days after several Indians were detained at Oregon and New Mexico for illegally entering the US, as a part of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy.

Haley's visit will be followed by a 2+2 dialogue between the US and India on July 6. It will be attended by the US Department of State, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will host Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the dialogue.

They are expected to discuss bilateral defence and security cooperation.