Modi in US: Obama says Paris climate pact was unlikely without India's leadership

The historic climate change agreement in Paris may not have been possible if it was not for the leadership shown by India in making some "substantial commitments", the White House said today after Prime Minister Modi's meeting with US President Barack Obama.

"We've said on many occasions that India's role in that process was significant and it's unlikely that we would have actually reached an agreement in Paris last December had the Indians not stepped up and shown some leadership in making some substantial commitments," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

He made the remarks while responding to questions on the meeting between Obama and Modi wherein the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to join the Paris agreement by the end of this year.

"The announcements or the discussion with the Prime Minister, there was extensive discussion about the leading role that India played in achieving an international agreement to fight climate change and fight carbon pollution," he said.

Earnest said Modi's role at Paris last year is a testament to his willingness to take a political risk to do what he thinks is right, not just for his country, but for the planet.

"And he deserves a lot of credit for that," Earnest said. "What I'll also say is that Prime Minister Modi recognises that there's an important economic opportunity here. President Obama certainly recognises that and we've made the case that as more countries around the world consider the move to low-carbon economy, that creates important opportunities in the alternative energy sector," he said.

With PTI inputs

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed support for the enactment this year of a worldwide climate accord reached in Paris, the White House said

"I believe what Prime Minister Modi has said about this is that India shares the objective that the United States has laid out, which is to see the agreement come into force this year," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said at a news briefing after President Barack Obama met with Modi at the White House. 

With Reuters input

US President Barack Obama today supported India's candidature for membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as he discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ways to take the bilateral ties to new heights.

Addressing the media jointly with Modi after over hour-long talks at the White House, Obama said it was natural for India and the US, two biggest democracies, to "deepen and broaden" partnership. Modi said the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, particularly ways to take the bilateral economic ties to new heights.

The other issues discussed by them included terrorism, clean energy, climate change, regional security and cyber security. During his remarks to the media, Obama said they discussed progress made in the Civil Nuclear agreement.

"I indicated support to India being a part of NSG," the US President said amidst opposition by China to such a move. Obama underlined that India needs technology which is critical for its progress and prosperity.

Modi later said, "I am thankful for the help and support that my friend President Obama has extended with regard to membership in MTCR and NSG."

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that he and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed how to ensure a worldwide agreement forged in Paris to curb climate change could be enacted swiftly.

"We discussed how we can, as quickly as possible, bring the Paris agreement into force," Obama told reporters during a meeting with Modi at the White House.

With Reuters input

US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the start of preparatory work on six nuclear reactors in India, a key step in closing the first deal stemming from a US-India civil nuclear accord struck over a decade ago.

The two leaders said in a joint statement that India and the US Export-Import Bank intend to work together toward a competitive financing package for the project and will work to finalize contractual agreements by June 2017.

"Once completed, the project would be among the largest of its kind, fulfilling the promise of the US-India civil nuclear agreement and demonstrating a shared commitment to meet India's growing energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels," the joint statement said.

PM Modi also said that he will meet the US President again in G20  and will fulfill dream of climate justice. He said, "Our friend Obama extended support to MTCR and NSG , we will always be grateful."

Watch the Joint Statement of PM Narendra Modi and Barack Obama here:

After meeting PM Modi, US President Obama said that he discussed progress made on nuclear civil cooperation with the Indian Prime Minister. He also stated regional security issues were also discussed and both the nations whish to work together on cyber security.