India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 13, marking Modi’s first visit during Trump’s second term. The two leaders exchanged warm words, handshakes, and strategic commitments on trade, defense, and energy. Trump, in his characteristic style, praised Modi’s negotiation skills, calling him a “much tougher” dealmaker than himself.
A Trade Partnership with High Stakes
Trade dominated the discussions, with both leaders acknowledging the need to rebalance economic ties. Trump pointed out that India had some of the highest tariffs on U.S. goods, making trade difficult. Modi, on the other hand, stressed the importance of fair and mutually beneficial agreements.
- The goal: More than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
- Modi called for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade deal.
- Both sides agreed to strengthen energy trade, with India looking to import more oil and gas from the U.S.
- Plans for deeper cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals were outlined.
Trump criticized past U.S. administrations for neglecting economic ties with India. “India did not have a good relationship with the Biden administration. They wouldn’t sell them oil and gas, which is hard to believe,” he said.
Big Defense Moves: F-35 Fighter Jets and Joint Development
Military cooperation took center stage, with the U.S. agreeing to ramp up defense sales to India. Modi emphasized the role of the U.S. in strengthening India’s defense capabilities, signaling a deepening strategic partnership.
- India is set to purchase F-35 fighter jets, marking a significant leap in defense collaboration.
- A new Defense Cooperation Framework for the next decade will focus on interoperability, logistics, and joint production.
- The two countries agreed to launch an Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance, focusing on advanced military technologies.
Trump, known for his transactional approach to foreign policy, welcomed India’s growing defense spending. He reiterated that a strong India aligned with U.S. interests was crucial for global security.
The Modi-Trump Chemistry and the ‘MEGA’ Partnership
Modi and Trump displayed a personal rapport, blending policy discussions with symbolic statements. Modi even coined a new term—MEGA, short for “MAGA plus MIGA”, referring to Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan and Modi’s Make India Great Again vision.
- Modi positioned India’s 2047 development vision as a parallel to Trump’s nationalist economic policies.
- The two leaders agreed that a strong U.S.-India alliance was in both nations’ best interests.
- Modi acknowledged Trump’s stance on prioritizing his country, adding, “I do the same, and that is something we have in common.”
This chemistry between the two leaders could prove pivotal as the U.S. seeks to counterbalance China’s growing influence in Asia.
Technology, Space, and a Strategic Alliance
Beyond trade and defense, the discussions extended to technology and space collaboration. Modi and Trump emphasized the importance of cooperation in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing.
- A new initiative called TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) was launched.
- A major focus was on securing supply chains for critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements.
- The NASA-ISRO joint satellite mission, NISAR, will soon be launched, highlighting India-U.S. space cooperation.
The meeting also covered cybersecurity and digital economy partnerships, with both sides recognizing the increasing significance of tech-driven geopolitical strategies.
The Terrorism Crackdown and Extradition of 26/11 Culprit
Security was another critical issue, with Modi and Trump agreeing to intensify counterterrorism efforts. The U.S. committed to extraditing a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to India, a move hailed as a major step in bilateral security cooperation.
Modi reiterated India’s commitment to fighting cross-border terrorism, calling for concerted action against terror networks. Trump, known for his tough stance on security, backed India’s call for stronger global coordination on the issue.
The Bigger Picture: A New Chapter in U.S.-India Relations
The Modi-Trump meeting set the stage for a more transactional and pragmatic U.S.-India partnership. While trade frictions remain, the alignment in defense, energy, and technology marks a significant step forward. With China’s influence looming large, both countries are looking to cement their economic and strategic ties.
As Modi put it, “Our talks will add significant momentum to the India-U.S. friendship.” With both leaders eyeing long-term gains, this visit could shape the trajectory of global geopolitics for years to come.
