Modi sleeps less compared to me as he is new, says Obama – Chemistry between two heads matters more, opines Modi

New Delhi

In a joint press conference when ABP news journo asked Prime Minister Modi about content of his talk with US President Barack Obama and chemistry between both leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied in Hindi: “So far as talks are concerned, let them stay behind the curtain.And this question that why we meet often is very important. I am new in this area, but with my short time experience I can say that relations between two nations are decided less on the basis of where are commas and full stops on paper, but on the basis of openness between leaders, opportunities to know each other, match of chemistry and when away from camera, we speak informally sitting alone, we can know each other closer. Barack and I have formed a friendship, and due to this openness, we can have talk on phone easily, we can have light talk, we can smile and joke and can also. This chemistry has not only made me and Barack closer and Washington and Delhi closer, but also brought people of America and India closer. And this personal chemistry matter much, that’s what I understand. And it should grow and it grows on such occasions only.”

Shri Modi’s Hindi reply was translated(not cent percent precisely) by a translator into English which President Barack Obama listened carefully.

Mr. Obama then added: “He(Modi) caused great excitement in United States when he visited. And I do think that in addition to a personal friendship that we have been able to form in fairly brief amount of time will also reflect in the warmth and affection between Indian people and American people. Part of reason was we are such natural partners is because we share values as former colonists, as the two largest democracies of the world, as entrepreneurial nations, as people who believe in the freedom and dignity and worth of all individuals. So it’s not surprising that we have a friendship because hopefully it reflects the value of people.”

Obama further in his reply said: “He(Modi) is right that we can’t tell you everything that we talked about, although I will share one thing, and that is we compared how much sleep each of us is getting and it turns out that Modi is getting even less sleep than me. Of course that’s because he is still new. Actually been doing this for six years may be he will be able to get an extra hour.”

Official note on Modi’s replies:

English rendering of PM’s response to questions during Joint Press Interaction with President of United States of America

Reply to question on Climate Change:

India is a sovereign country. No pressure from any country or any person has any effect on it. But there is pressure. Pressure about what kind of earth we shall leave for our future generations. Climate Change itself is a very big pressure. Global Warming itself is a very big pressure. And whoever worries about the future generations, has a responsibility to be conscious about Climate Change; adopt practices and policies which will ensure a good life and good environment for future generations. I believe this pressure should be on every Government, every person. We understand and respond to the same pressure.

Reply to question on personal friendship with US President Barack Obama:

As far as our conversation is concerned, let it remain concealed. Why do we meet often in this fashion. This is a significant question. I am new to this field. But on the basis of my limited experience, I can say that the relationship between two countries depends less on commas and full-stops on paper. How much openness is there between leaders, how many opportunities do they have to get to know each other, how does the chemistry match, this is very important. When we interact away from cameras, we get to know each other intimately. I and Barack share that friendship. That openness helps us talk easily on phone, chat comfortably, and even talk in a lighter vein. This chemistry has brought Barack and me closer, Washington and Delhi closer, and the people of America and India closer. This is personal chemistry. I think this matters a lot. This should grow. It grows on occasions like this.

Full video of interaction

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