<p>Barack Obama, the former president of the United States issued concerns about India as he said on Thursday (June 22) that New Delhi risks "pulling apart" if the Muslim minority is not respected. He also called for the matter to be raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a US visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Obama said that if he had the chance, he would speak to PM Modi about all the concerns over the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities in India. He admitted that he has worked with PM Modi on climate change and other areas, however, also said that the issues of democracy also need to be discussed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On one side, the White House rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi and US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed him with pomp and show, on the other hand, Obama spoke about minority issues while speaking in a CNN interview.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former president said that addressing human rights with allies was always "complicated" on a visit to Greece where he is holding a weeklong session for emerging global leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-us-ties-pm-modi-and-biden-hail-most-defining-relationships-of-21st-century-607492">India-US ties: PM Modi and Biden hail 'most defining relationship of 21st century'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In an interview with CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour, Obama said, "I think it is true that if the president meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India, that's something worth mentioning."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, that there is a strong possibility at some point that India starts pulling apart," Obama said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We've seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim India but also of Hindu India," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ge-aerospace-signs-mou-with-hal-for-production-of-fighter-jet-engines-for-iaf-607330">'Historic agreement': GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL for production of fighter jet engines for IAF</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;The future of India, US defence ties</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>PM Modi's US visit</strong></h2>

<p>PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the US, one Thursday he reached the White House and was greeted by around 7,000 Indian Americans when he arrived on the South Lawn, wearing a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US delegation, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, was there. The Indian delegation was led by Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, FS Vinay Kwatra and Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While welcoming PM Modi, Biden said, "I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Barack Obama, the former president of the United States issued concerns about India as he said on Thursday (June 22) that New Delhi risks "pulling apart" if the Muslim minority is not respected.

Barack Obama, the former president of the United States issued concerns about India as he said on Thursday (June 22) that New Delhi risks "pulling apart" if the Muslim minority is not respected. He also called for the matter to be raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a US visit. Obama said that if he had the chance, he would speak to PM Modi about all the concerns over the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities in India. He admitted that he has worked with PM Modi on climate change and other areas, however, also said that the issues of democracy also need to be discussed. On one side, the White House rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi and US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed him with pomp and show, on the other hand, Obama spoke about minority issues while speaking in a CNN interview. The former president said that addressing human rights with allies was always "complicated" on a visit to Greece where he is holding a weeklong session for emerging global leaders. Also read: India-US ties: PM Modi and Biden hail 'most defining relationship of 21st century' In an interview with CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour, Obama said, "I think it is true that if the president meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India, that's something worth mentioning." "If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, that there is a strong possibility at some point that India starts pulling apart," Obama said. "We've seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim India but also of Hindu India," he added. Also read: 'Historic agreement': GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL for production of fighter jet engines for IAF Watch: The future of India, US defence ties × PM Modi's US visit PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the US, one Thursday he reached the White House and was greeted by around 7,000 Indian Americans when he arrived on the South Lawn, wearing a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket. The US delegation, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, was there. The Indian delegation was led by Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, FS Vinay Kwatra and Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu. While welcoming PM Modi, Biden said, "I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Obama says India risks 'pulling apart' without minority rights as PM Modi visits US

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome at the White House on Thursday (June 22), with a 19-gun salute and the national anthem of both nations being played.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the United States. He has been to the US five times since taking oath as the prime minister in 2014, but this trip is his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi and Biden hailed a "defining partnership" with a focus on both nations to improve and deepen relations with forward-focused future-oriented talks. They sealed major deals in various sectors, including defence, technology, space collaboration, and more.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ge-aerospace-signs-mou-with-hal-for-production-of-fighter-jet-engines-for-iaf-607330">'Historic agreement': GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL for production of fighter jet engines for IAF</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>As he began his address, PM Modi thanked Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden. He said, "I would like to express gratitude for your warm welcome and far-sighted remarks."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also mentioned the gathering of Indian-American people outside the White House, who&nbsp;chanted&nbsp;'Modi, Modi'. He said, "Three decades ago, I came to America as a normal citizen and saw the White House from the outside. Since then I came here so many times, but the White House's gates have been&nbsp;opened for so many Indian Americans for the first time."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>PM Modi was greeted by around 7,000 Indian Americans when he arrived on the South Lawn of the White House, wearing a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When PM Modi reached the White House, the US delegation, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, was there. The Indian delegation was led by Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, FS Vinay Kwatra and Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu.</p>

<p>While welcoming PM Modi, Biden said, "I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-pm-modi-sets-techade-agenda-for-2020s-607153">India's PM Modi sets 'techade' agenda for making 2020s a transformative era in technology sector</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Crucial deals inked</strong></h2>

<p>GE Aerospace announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce its F414 engines for the Indian Air Force.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As mentioned in the report, a US official said India would also buy MQ-9B SeaGuardians, high-precision armed drones. India in 2019 broke precedent with an airstrike in Pakistani territory against an alleged extremist camp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Washington hopes a tighter defence relationship will help wean India off Russia, New Delhi's primary military supplier during the Cold War.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome at the White House on Thursday (June 22), with a 19-gun salute and the national anthem of both nations being played.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome at the White House on Thursday (June 22), with a 19-gun salute and the national anthem of both nations being played. PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the United States. He has been to the US five times since taking oath as the prime minister in 2014, but this trip is his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. PM Modi and Biden hailed a "defining partnership" with a focus on both nations to improve and deepen relations with forward-focused future-oriented talks. They sealed major deals in various sectors, including defence, technology, space collaboration, and more. Also read: 'Historic agreement': GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL for production of fighter jet engines for IAF As he began his address, PM Modi thanked Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden. He said, "I would like to express gratitude for your warm welcome and far-sighted remarks." He also mentioned the gathering of Indian-American people outside the White House, who chanted 'Modi, Modi'. He said, "Three decades ago, I came to America as a normal citizen and saw the White House from the outside. Since then I came here so many times, but the White House's gates have been opened for so many Indian Americans for the first time." Watch this report: × PM Modi was greeted by around 7,000 Indian Americans when he arrived on the South Lawn of the White House, wearing a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket. When PM Modi reached the White House, the US delegation, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, was there. The Indian delegation was led by Indian foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, FS Vinay Kwatra and Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu. While welcoming PM Modi, Biden said, "I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together." Also read: India's PM Modi sets 'techade' agenda for making 2020s a transformative era in technology sector Crucial deals inked GE Aerospace announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce its F414 engines for the Indian Air Force. As mentioned in the report, a US official said India would also buy MQ-9B SeaGuardians, high-precision armed drones. India in 2019 broke precedent with an airstrike in Pakistani territory against an alleged extremist camp. Washington hopes a tighter defence relationship will help wean India off Russia, New Delhi's primary military supplier during the Cold War. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India-US ties: PM Modi and Biden hail 'most defining relationship of 21st century'

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Obama says India risks 'pulling apart' without minority rights as PM Modi visits US

India-US ties: PM Modi and Biden hail 'most defining relationship of 21st century'