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SHEIKH SAALIQ, Associated Press

11 hours ago

Key Insights from Modi-Trump Meeting: Enhanced Trade and Defense Cooperation, Along with Mutual Accolades | WTAJ

FILE – An Indian man parks his Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle in New Delhi, India, March 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump met at the White House on Thursday to discuss reducing tariffs, addressing trade disputes, and strengthening defense relations.

Despite Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs, both leaders indicated a willingness to negotiate on trade, hinting at potential concessions from both New Delhi and Washington.

Trump complimented Modi as a “much better negotiator than me,” and Modi creatively responded by referencing Trump’s “MAGA” slogan, asserting he is committed to “Make India Great Again.”

Here are some significant points from their discussion:

Trade and tariffs dominated the agenda

Trade and tariff concerns were pivotal in their talks. Trump expressed that New Delhi’s tariff policies are “very unfair and strong,” suggesting that India would not escape scrutiny.

However, both leaders agreed to negotiate a solution to these trade issues, with Modi anticipating the completion of an agreement by the end of the year.

Trump also indicated a desire to reduce the current $50 billion trade deficit with India by boosting U.S. energy exports to the nation.

Modi proposed increasing bilateral trade with the U.S. to $500 billion by 2030.

“Trump’s intention is to alter the global trading landscape. India is aware of this and is now seeking practical solutions to its challenges,” noted Raja Mohan, an analyst at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore.

A renewed defense alliance is in the works

Trump announced plans for the U.S. to increase military sales to India, including a potential deal for F-35 stealth fighter jets, although no timeline was provided. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed that the proposal is currently under consideration.

Rahul Bedi, a defense analyst based in India, remarked that such an arrangement could take “several years” to finalize.

Since 2008, India has procured over $20 billion in U.S.-origin defense equipment, and a recent agreement will enable U.S.-based General Electric to collaborate with an Indian firm to manufacture jet engines in India.

Modi and Trump also concurred on enhancing security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, which indirectly addresses the rising competition with China in the area.

Extradition of a terror attack suspect to India has been discussed

Trump expressed support for extraditing a suspect involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 people, likely referring to Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

Indian officials have asserted that Pakistan’s intelligence services collaborated with the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taibah in orchestrating the attack, which Islamabad has denied.

The extradition of Rana would enhance Modi’s standing domestically, as he has maintained a hardline approach towards Pakistan.

Modi and Trump also touched upon immigration issues, with the Indian prime minister assuring he would accept any citizens illegally residing in the U.S.

Recently, India accepted the return of 104 migrants on a U.S. military flight.

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Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma contributed to this report.

At ZigWheels, we had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Harley-Davidson X440 Flat Track Race during India Bike Week (IBW) 2024. This race served as our first real experience with flat track racing and also proved to be quite an eye-opening experience.

Getting Started

A few weeks ago, I attended the TVS Ronin Drift-R school, where I learned fundamental skills for riding on the flat track. This enlightening experience significantly enhanced my road riding abilities.

Landing the chance to participate in the Harley-Davidson X440 Flat Track Race at IBW 2024 thrilled me. It was an opportunity to apply what I had learned previously, and as someone who had never raced before, I was eager to see how I’d perform.

The Motorcycle and the Circuit

For this event, we rode the uniquely modified Harley-Davidson X440. This bike featured numerous alterations in both its design and mechanics. The headlight was removed, replaced with a racing number plate.

The standard seat and subframe were swapped out for foam padding and a sleeker rear end. Additionally, several mechanical modifications were made; for instance, the front brake was taken off and the original footpegs were replaced with ones suitable for off-roading.

One feature I particularly appreciated about this build was its resemblance to the Harley-Davidson XR750. Overall, the modifications were executed exceptionally well, making the bike feel like an authentic flat tracker.

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The race track was a 160m oval, considerably shorter than the 250m circuit I had previously experienced. This smaller size posed unique challenges, particularly due to the reduced straightaway lengths.

The intensity of the race increased as we approached the corners at a much faster pace. The bike was well-equipped to handle the conditions, but I couldn’t help wondering if I was truly prepared for this challenge.

The Race and Lessons Learned

The flat track race was quite different from my expectations. Instead of having all eight journalists racing simultaneously, we were divided into four pairs. This structure meant that the race became a series of one-on-one match-ups, with the winners progressing to the next round. This format allowed me more space to maneuver on the track.

One principle I adhere to is that “competence breeds confidence.” Before the race, I felt quite self-assured. However, once the competition began, it quickly became evident that my confidence was not supported by the necessary skills.

Getting eliminated in the first round made it clear where I truly stood in terms of my abilities. I managed to get a couple of things right, but there were also many mistakes.

During my prior track experiences, I focused on three critical areas: vision, body positioning, and throttle control. However, I overlooked the importance of choosing racing lines, which was a significant factor in my performance.

When riding on roads, we think about lines for safety against oncoming traffic. In contrast, in racing, the objective is to find the optimal path to maximize speed and minimize lap times.

I attempted to approach the corners from a middle line into an inside line, exiting toward the outside. This habit stems from road riding, where it allows a better view of oncoming traffic.

However, during racing, the dynamics are entirely different. On the flat track, where double apex turns are involved, choosing the right lines is crucial. Ideally, I should have approached wide, taking the first apex closer to the center of the track and the second on the inside.

Insights Gained from Racing

One of the most significant lessons I learned from participating in the Harley-Davidson Flat Track Race is that there’s always more beneath the surface. This is especially true in flat track racing.

To the casual observer, it may appear to be a simple race around an oval track, but once you find yourself on the bike, your perspective shifts dramatically. The insights gained from this experience have highlighted areas of my skills that require improvement.

If you’ve been contemplating trying flat track racing, my advice is straightforward: just do it. The experience will significantly enhance your road riding abilities.