India looking forward to further strengthening its comprehensive global and strategic partnership with US: MEA

 The External Affairs Ministry said that India and the United States’ partnership is multifaceted and special. Briefing the media in New Delhi yesterday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to President-elect Donald Trump and conveyed to him that India is looking forward to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global and strategic partnership. Mr Jaiswal said that India and the US will work for the betterment of people and to ensure peace and security.

The External Affairs Spokesperson said that the economic relations between India and America are quite extensive, and trade worth about 190 billion US dollars took place between the two countries last year. He said that America is India’s second-largest trading partner and that both countries are working to further strengthen their trade relations.

On the cancellation of some of the scheduled consular camps in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Jaiswal said that these camps had been cancelled as they did not receive



adequate security or security assurance from the Canadian government. He said that these consular camps are conducted at the request of Indian community organizations and will be organized as per the comfort of the community. On the incident of the attack on a temple in Brampton, Canada, Mr. Jaiswal said that India has condemned the attack and called upon the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law and bring to justice the people who perpetrated the violence.

On the attacks on the Hindu community in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Mr. Jaiswal said that properties and business establishments of Hindu communities have been looted. He urged the Government of Bangladesh to take strong measures to ensure the safety of Hindus and to take action against extremist elements.

On the humanitarian assistance provided to Afghanistan, the External Affairs Spokesperson informed that 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, and 28 tonnes of earthquake relief material have been provided to Afghanistan.