US, India agreed to start negotiations on massive trade deal: PM Modi

In a joint statement at the Hyderabad House with US President Donald Trump, Modi at Hyderabad House here said, "We have also agreed to start negotiations on a massive trade deal. We hope that we will get positive results, benefitting both. At the global level, our relationship is depended on the similar democratic values we share."

Supporting the Prime Minister's statement, Trump, who seemed amazed by the hospitality provided by India, said, he was "optimistic" about the trade deal with her daughter Ivanka Trump, an advisor to the US President, seated in the audience.

Days before his maiden visit to India as the US President, Trump had made it clear that the US will have no deal signed with India over trade before the American Presidential elections scheduled to be held later this year.

However, the US and India are set to ink a $3 billion defence deal.

Regarding terrorism, Modi said, "Today, the deal on internal security will further strengthen this cooperation. We have bolstered efforts to ensure the perpetrators of terrorism take the blame."

Staying away from making any comment on the issue of disputed Jammu and Kashmir, Trump said, "The US is working productively with Pakistan to counter terrorism."

"We discussed and agreed to create a 'Counter Narcotics Working Group' to confront the growing threat of illicit fentanyl and Opioid production," said the US President. 

With few hours left before he will fly back to the US, Trump described his India visit saying, "This has been a very productive visit for both of our countries."