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Sorting out Indo-US differences on trade: Mike Pompeo says ‘Modi hai to mumkin hai’

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7 years ago

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Mike Pompeo

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Expressing hope that India would lift trade barriers, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo hinted that it was possible to reinstate the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a programme for preferential access to certain goods markets in the US, for India.

Pompeo is expected to discuss this as well as 5G network technology and data localisation while in New Delhi later this month on a visit. He will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Japan and South Korea from June 24 to 30. Mike Pompeo’s four-nation tour is aimed at deepening US partnerships in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Putting his own spin on the BJP poll slogan, Pompeo, in a speech at the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on Wednesday, June 12, said: “As Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi said in his latest campaign, ‘Modi hai to mumkin hai,” or ‘Modi makes it possible”, I am looking forward to explore what’s possible between the US and India.”

“I am very much looking forward to my trip to New Delhi later this month, and meeting PM Modi, and my new counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar,” he said.

Mike Pompeo listed out some of the “big ideas and big opportunities” that can take bilateral relationship between US and India to a new level.

He said differences between the two countries remain in some of the key trade and business issues, he acknowledged. “We’ll probably discuss the recent decision about the GSP program…we remain open to dialogue, and hope that our friends in India will drop their trade barriers and trust the competitiveness of their own companies, their own businesses, their own people and private sector companies,”

In addition to GSP, data localisation regulations and proposed policies have been a source of friction between the two countries.

“We’ll also push for free flow of data across borders, not just to help American companies, but to protect data and secure consumers’ privacy,” Pompeo said.

“And speaking of privacy, we are eager to help India establish secure communications networks — including 5G networks as well,” Pompeo said.

The Trump administration is pushing its allies and partner countries to block the Chinese telecom giant Huawei from participating in building their next generation (5G) telecommunication networks and has put Huawei on a trade blacklist for US companies.

Pompeo went to some lengths to stress that the US understood India’s post-Independence economic history and current geopolitical realities, Pompeo touched on a common theme — a India-US partnership based on values.

India and the US, he said, must embrace the strategic framework that works for both the nations. “We get it. We respect India as a sovereign power, with its own unique politics and strategic challenges. We realize it’s different to deal with the likes of China and Pakistan from across the ocean than it is when they are on your borders. That’s why in this room and not so many months ago, I elaborated on President Trump’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Pompeo said.

Giving a preview of his India mission, he said he truly believes the two nations have a unique opportunity to move forward together for the good of their people, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world.

Making a strong case for a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said it starts from the premise that the two share common values of democracy, freedom, and a belief in the ingenuity of the human spirit. “It’s only natural that the world’s most populous democracy should partner with the world’s oldest democracy to maintain their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.”

“Third, we have to deliver,” Pompeo said.

He said under President Donald Trump, the US has taken defence cooperation to newer heights, solidified their common vision for the Indo-Pacific and taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan’s unacceptable support for terrorism.

“Forging strong ties means formalizing these individual friendships. Last year, we kicked off the ‘2+2 dialogue’ alongside the Department of Defence. We’ve also reinvigorated the Quad Dialogue among India, the United States, Japan, and Australia – all like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific. These are all good steps,” he said.

The Trump Administration has already enabled American companies to export more high technology items to India, including cutting-edge defence platforms like armed UAVs and ballistic missile defence systems. “We’ve already launched the Asia-EDGE programme, to help India raise private capital to meet its energy security and access needs,” he said.

“These are solid achievements, but we want to do much more. We clearly have overlapping interests in defence, energy, and space,” he said.

Mike Pompeo said the first batch of India’s Apache helicopters are coming off Boeing’s production line in Arizona. Lockheed Martins F-21 and Boeing’s F/A-18 are state-of-the-art fighters that could give India the capabilities it needs to become a full-fledged security provider in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

On space, NASA is already working with the Indian Space Research Organisation on the world’s most advanced earth-observation satellite and India’s second lunar mission.

Pompeo also used the dais to make a pitch for US crude oil and natural gas during a question answer session with LNG company Tellurian’s CEO, Meg Gentle.

“On energy, we want to complete the Westinghouse civil nuclear project, and deliver more American LNG and crude,” he said adding that these steps will give Indians reliable and abundant energy and help reduce dependence on regimes like Iran and Venezuela.

“We’ve been blessed with abundant affordable energy right here in the United States, and we’re now out producing it at enormous levels, not just crude oil but natural gas as well,” Pompeo said, adding that the U.S. would need to ensure that it had the infrastructure for delivery.

Under threat of US sanctions, India had, reluctantly, stopped oil imports from Venezuela and Iran, India’s ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the press at the end of May. On Monday, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke with U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry about volatile oil prices and energy security.

“They [buyers of US fuel] can have a fully diversified energy portfolio where they don’t have to rely on nations that aren’t as reliable as the United States,”  Pompeo said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi receives Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, first world leader to get award

PM Modi has become the first global leader to be awarded Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour for strengthening bilateral ties and global leadership.

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10 hours ago

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December 17, 2025

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PM modi Ethiopias highest civillian award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday was conferred with ‘The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia’, the highest national award of the African nation, becoming the first head of government or state globally to receive the honour.

The award was presented during a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre, where Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali honoured Modi for his role in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Ethiopia and for his leadership on global issues.

Recognition of India-Ethiopia partnership

According to an official statement, the honour recognises Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to deepening the long-standing partnership between the two countries and his engagement with issues concerning the Global South. The conferment is being seen as a milestone in India-Ethiopia relations and reflects the growing diplomatic and development cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the award and dedicated it to the people of India. In a post on X, he said he was honoured to receive Ethiopia’s highest recognition and attributed it to the collective strength and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

‘Accepted with humility and gratitude’

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said it was a privilege to accept the honour from one of the world’s most ancient civilisations. He expressed humility and gratitude while thanking Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the people of Ethiopia for the recognition.

He also praised the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s leadership and initiatives aimed at promoting national unity, sustainability and inclusive development. Highlighting the role of knowledge and education in nation-building, Modi noted that Indian teachers have been contributing to Ethiopia’s progress for more than a century.

The Prime Minister dedicated the award to both Indians and Ethiopians who have nurtured bilateral ties over generations and conveyed appreciation on behalf of India’s population for the honour bestowed upon him.

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Trump administration expands US travel ban to 20 more countries, Palestinians also affected

The Trump administration has widened its travel ban, adding 20 more countries and fully restricting entry for Palestinians, citing security and vetting concerns.

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10 hours ago

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December 17, 2025

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The Trump administration has widened its travel restrictions, adding 20 more countries to the existing list and imposing a complete ban on travel for people holding documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The decision significantly expands the scope of the travel limits announced earlier this year and will come into force from January 1.

According to the proclamation issued on Tuesday, the latest move doubles the number of nations impacted by US travel and immigration restrictions. Five additional countries now face a full ban, while 15 others have been placed under partial restrictions. The administration said the measures apply to both visitors and those seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Countries facing full travel ban

The newly added countries under the full ban include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. In addition, people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued passports or documents have been fully barred from entering or emigrating to the US. South Sudan had already been subject to significant restrictions before this announcement.

Earlier, the administration had imposed a complete ban on travellers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

15 countries under partial restrictions

The list of countries now facing partial travel restrictions includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

These join the earlier partially restricted countries such as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. The administration also said restrictions on Laos and Sierra Leone have been upgraded, while some limits on Turkmenistan have been eased after an improvement in vetting standards.

Who is exempt from the restrictions

The proclamation clarifies that certain categories of travellers are exempt. These include people who already hold valid US visas, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is considered to be in the national interest of the United States.

Reasons cited by the administration

The US administration said many of the affected countries suffer from widespread corruption, unreliable civil documents and weak criminal record systems, making proper vetting difficult. It also pointed to high visa overstay rates, refusal by some governments to accept deported nationals, and broader concerns related to immigration enforcement, foreign policy and national security.

The expansion follows the arrest of an Afghan national accused in the shooting of two National Guard troops near the White House during the Thanksgiving weekend. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges.

Criticism and concerns over Afghan visas

The decision has drawn criticism from rights groups and immigration advocates, who argue that national security is being used to justify broad restrictions on entire populations. Concerns have also been raised over the removal of an exception for Afghans eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa, a category meant for those who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan.

Advocacy groups said these individuals undergo extensive vetting and that restricting their entry could undermine commitments made by the United States.

New restrictions on Palestinians

The full ban on people holding Palestinian Authority passports marks a further tightening of restrictions imposed earlier, which had already made it extremely difficult for Palestinians to travel to the US for work, education, business or tourism. The administration justified the move by citing the presence of US-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as challenges in vetting due to ongoing conflict.

Governments of some newly affected countries said they were reviewing the decision and seeking clarity from US officials on the implications of the restrictions.

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Luthra brothers deported from Thailand in Goa nightclub fire case

The Luthra brothers, owners of the Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people, have been deported from Thailand and are returning to India.

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1 day ago

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December 16, 2025

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Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of a Goa nightclub where a massive fire led to the deaths of 25 people, have been deported from Thailand and are on their way back to India. The two brothers boarded a flight to India after Thai authorities sent them back from Bangkok.

According to information available, the Luthra brothers had left the country within hours of the tragic incident and travelled to Thailand’s Phuket. At the time the fire broke out at the Goa nightclub, both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were in Delhi.

The fire at the club triggered widespread outrage and raised serious questions over safety measures at nightlife venues in Goa. The incident resulted in the deaths of 25 people, making it one of the deadliest nightclub fires in the state.

After their departure from India soon after the tragedy, the whereabouts of the club owners became a key focus of the investigation. Their deportation from Thailand and return to India is seen as a significant development in the case related to the deadly fire.

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