India supports free trade but food security should not be affected, says PM Modi

Washington DC, Sept. 30 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama on Tuesday discussed issues pertaining to trade, particularly India's stand on the policies of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). After holding bilateral talks at the White House here, Prime Minister Modi said that he expressed to President Obama that India supported free trade, as long as its food security was not affected. Prime Minister Modi said, "We had an open discussion on the WTO issue. We support trade facilitation but a solution that takes care of our food security must be found." The WTO in August had failed to reach a deal to standardise customs rules after India blocked the move, demanding concessions on agricultural stockpiling. President Obama said, "During our meeting, we discussed trade and how we can continue to work with each other." Prime Minister Modi also talked of the resolution of the Civil Nuclear Agreement. "We are serious about the resolution of issues of the Civil Nuclear Agreement, and we believe that the deal is important for India's energy needs. We are committed to the resolution of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries," he said. Prime Minister Modi, who is on a five-day visit to the US, flies for New Delhi later in the day. (ANI)