Obama Likely To Seek Modi's Support Against ISIS

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support in his effort to create a global coalition against Islamic State terror group that has gained control over large swaths of Syria and Iraq, almost equal in size of Britain.

So far, more than 40 countries have joined the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or the Islamic State (IS) as it is better known across the globe.

The U.S. and its partner countries on Monday started air strikes against ISIS positions in Syria. However, the U.S. officials, including Obama, insist that this is not a military coalition and countries can contribute in their own way.

Modi is scheduled to meet Obama at the White House on September 29 over a private dinner, and the next morning at the Oval Office for the official meeting during which the issue of ISIS is "definitely" expected to come up for discussion.

Officials familiar with the preparations of the Modi-Obama summit acknowledged that ISIS would be part of discussion between the two leaders, during which they are likely to touch upon the current situation in the Middle East.

Obama, as he has been doing with other global leaders, is expected to urge Modi to join the international coalition against the IS terrorist outfit, which if left unchallenged poses a major threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.

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