Lok Sabha Question No. 78 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Visit of Prime Minister to USA
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.78

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER TO USA

- *78.  COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the visit of the Prime Minister to USA recently with regard to defence co-operation, trade etc. along with the other subjects of mutual interest that were discussed;
- (b) whether during Indo-US talks, the issue of terrorism was discussed and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the issue of grant of H1B visa to Indian IT professionals was also discussed; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 78 REGARDING 'VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER TO USA' FOR ANSWER ON 20.12.2017.

(a) & (b) Prime Minister paid an official visit to the US from 25-26 June 2017 at the   invitation   of   the   US   President   Donald   Trump.   Discussions   between   the   two leaders covered all key areas of India-US Strategic Partnership: defence and security; counter-terrorism; trade and economic issues; energy; people-to-people contacts; and regional and international issues.

Key outcomes and understanding reached were reflected in the Joint Statement issued during the visit and are summarized below:

-  The leaders agreed to deepen defense and maritime-security cooperation. The two countries agreed to work together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States.
-  The leaders agreed to strengthen the India-US partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, and committed to a set of common principles to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.
-  The leaders committed to intensifying their economic cooperation; removing obstacles to growth and jobs creation; and pursuing increased commercial engagement in a manner that advances the principles of free and fair trade. The two countries will undertake a comprehensive review of trade relations with the goal of expediting regulatory processes; ensuring that technology and innovation are appropriately fostered, valued, and protected; and increasing market access in goods and services.
-  The Leaders committed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation including by expanding information-sharing arrangements. It was decided to establish a new   consultation   mechanism   on   domestic   and   international   terrorist designations   listing   proposals.   The   US   decided   to   designate   Hizb-ulMujahideen   leader   Syed   Salahuddin   as   a   Specially   Designated   Global

Terrorist. The leaders also affirmed their support for a U.N. Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

-  The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist   attacks   on   other   countries.   They   further   called   on   Pakistan   to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups.
-  The U.S. expressed strong support for India's early membership of multilateral export   control   regimes   and   reaffirmed   the   support   for   India's   permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council.

(c) & (d) The issues of market access in services and fostering of technology and innovation, in which H-1B visa is one element, was discussed in detail during the meetings of Prime Minister's visit to U.S. In our engagements, we emphasized that Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. economy and have helped the U.S. retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage. They are a big stakeholder in India-U.S. relations.

In Prime Minister's meeting with President Trump, the two leaders discussed fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and digital partnership. The leaders agreed to intensify the mutually beneficial digital partnership to fully harness their innovation capabilities. Pursuant to the decision reached during the visit, India and the U.S. cohosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

So   far,   no   comprehensive   changes   have   been   made   to   the   H-1B   visa programme.   Government   of   India   remains   closely   engaged   with   the   U.S. Administration and the U.S. Congress on issues relating to mobility of Indian skilled professionals, including through H-1B visa programme.

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