Washington, D.C.: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump held a high-profile bilateral meeting, emphasising a strengthened “mega partnership” between the two nations. The discussions covered key areas such as trade, defence cooperation, energy agreements, and counterterrorism efforts.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to enhancing trade relations with the United States, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030. In response to Trump’s concerns about high trade tariffs, Modi expressed India’s willingness to lower certain trade barriers on US imports. The leaders also announced a new agreement facilitating India’s increased import of American oil and gas, addressing the trade imbalance between the two nations.

Economic analysts highlighted the significance of this deal, with Radhika Rao, a senior economist at DBS Bank, stating that increased US energy exports offer “a pragmatic solution for both parties.” However, Amitendu Palit of the National University of Singapore noted that India’s challenge remains in balancing its trade deficit, as US oil and gas might be costlier due to the stronger dollar.

Defense Partnership and Strategic Alliances

The leaders also reinforced their commitment to deepening defence ties, with Trump confirming that Washington would provide India with F-35 fighter jets. He emphasised that military sales to India would significantly increase, with billions of dollars worth of defence equipment to be delivered in the coming years. The discussion underscored India’s expanding role as a strategic ally in the Indo-Pacific region.

Counterterrorism and Extradition Agreement

Another key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Trump confirmed that the US would hand over Rana, currently in detention in Los Angeles, to Indian authorities for trial. Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for this decision, reaffirming India’s commitment to combating cross-border terrorism.

Tariff Policies and Trade Barriers

Trump addressed concerns about trade barriers, noting that India imposes high tariffs on various American goods, including a 100% tariff on US motorcycles compared to the 2.4% tariff imposed by the US on Indian motorcycles. While acknowledging India’s trade practices, Trump stated that his administration was implementing a “reciprocal tariff” policy to ensure fair trade practices between the two nations.

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Future Prospects

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with Modi describing the meeting as “excellent” and a positive step toward economic and strategic cooperation. As India continues to be a key trade partner, discussions on tariff reductions, energy imports, and defence procurement are expected to shape future engagements between the two countries.

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