"Modi will take care of it" says Trump on terrorism; Calls PM 'Father on India'

New York, Sep 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on sidelines of the 74th session of the UNGA in New York on Tuesday. This is the second meeting between the two leaders in the last three days.

The meeting comes two days after the US president shared dais with Prime Minister Modi at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston.

Trump was several questions on terrorism and Pakistan by the reporters.

"I am thankful to Trump that he came to Houston. He is my friend but he is also a good friend of India," PM Modi said.

Trump seemed to dodge specific questions on ISI's involvement in terrorism and said: "PM Modi will take care of it."

Prime Minister Modi said that after coming to power, he had three bilateral talks with Trump in four months.

"Fruitful discussions on many issues. Between the oldest and the largest democracy, this kind of nearness is appreciated," Modi said.

"I am very thankful to President Trump that he came to Houston and gave so much of his time. It was a very proud moment for the Indians living in US. I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Trump for this," PM said.

Trump called Modi a rockstar and likened the Prime Minister to legendary American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley. Trump also called Modi 'Father on India'.

"I remember India before was very torn. There was a lot of dissension, fighting and he brought it all together. Like a father would. Maybe he is the Father of India...They love this gentleman to my right. People went crazy, he is like an American version of Elvis," Trump said.

The US President expressed hope that Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would resolve issues through talks.

"It will be great if they can work out something on Kashmir," Trump said.

Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, and other officials.

Just before his address at the UNGA, Trump again offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Trump-Modi on India-US trade:

President Trump said the United States will soon have a trade deal with India to boost economic ties between the two nations.

"I think very soon. We are doing very well. (US Trade Representative) Robert Lighthizer who is right here negotiating with India ... I think, very soon we will have a trade deal," Trump told reporters here when asked if there is any trade deal is expected in the talks between India and the US.

"We will have a larger deal down the road ... but we will have a trade deal," Trump added.

Modi told reporters that he was happy with Petronet's LNG deal with American energy company Tellurian Inc.

As far as trade (India-US trade) is concerned, I am happy that our Petronet signed an MoU of US$ 2.5 Billion investment in the energy sector. As a result of this, there will be a trade of US$ 60 Million in the coming decades and 50,000 people will get jobs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session and discussed with him bilateral ties. The two countries are negotiating a trade package to iron out issues and promote two-way commerce. The US has been pressuring India to lower duties on its products and address the trade gap.