New York :  Climate change and cooperation in combating terrorism and boosting defence ties were high on the agenda of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama here on Monday that saw both leaders renew the warmth of ties with hugs.

Modi also thanked Obama for the US support to India for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council. He also appreciated America’s support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes within a targeted time frame. “Our defence cooperation, including defence trade and training, is expanding. As existing terrorism threats grow and new ones emerge, we have resolved to further deepen cooperation on counter terrorism and radicalism. We have just had a successful cyber security dialogue,” he said.

“I welcomed the progress in our Joint Strategic Vision on Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions and our engagement with partners like Japan,” he said.

Modi said that since his visit to the US last September, both sides have “achieved significant progress in our bilateral cooperation and international partnership”.

After hour-long talks, including delegation-level, Obama in his media statement recalled his January visit for India’s Republic Day, terming it a wonderful visit.

He said their talks focused much on climate change and the upcoming climate change talks in Paris.

He said both sides agreed that it was a crucial issue and all countries have responsibility towards fighting climate change.

Obama said he was “encouraged by the impressive nature of Modi’s commitment to clean energy. And I really think the Indian leadership in the upcoming Paris conference will set the tone not just today but in the decades to come (on climate change)”. Obama said both sides with “efforts” can solve the problem. Both also talked trade and investment, Obama said, referring to the talks last week on the first India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue here, chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Referring to Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora, he said the Indian community in the US was very large and successful. He hailed the strategic ties that encompasses education to defence procurement. – IANS