Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 36-hour visit to the United States has concluded, leaving a significant impact on India-US relations. The Ministry of External Affairs hailed the visit as “substantive” and “very productive.” This marked Modi’s first visit after US President Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term, highlighting the priority both leaders attach to strengthening bilateral ties.
A Strategic Start: Setting the Tone for India-US
Relations
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in his press
briefing, emphasized the significance of the visit. He noted that the timing,
just three weeks after Trump’s second-term inauguration, reflects the shared
commitment to advancing the India-US partnership. The meeting underscored the
camaraderie between the two leaders, cultivated during Trump’s first term.
Their discussions spanned a wide range of topics, including
trade, defence, technology, and counter-terrorism. The personal rapport was
evident as Trump warmly greeted Modi, saying, “We missed you a lot,” and
presented him with the book Our Journey Together, featuring snapshots of
their joint events like “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump.”
Mission 500: Doubling Bilateral Trade by 2030
A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of Mission
500, a shared vision to increase bilateral trade between India and the US
to $500 billion by 2030. Currently, the US is India’s largest trading partner,
with trade standing at $129.2 billion in 2024.
To achieve this ambitious target, the two leaders agreed to
negotiate the first phase of a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement
(BTA) by the fall of 2025. Modi emphasized the importance of energy security,
committing to increased trade in oil and gas and investments in nuclear energy.
President Trump acknowledged India’s reforms to welcome US
nuclear technology and highlighted the mutual benefits of such cooperation.
“This will bring safe, clean, and affordable electricity to millions of Indians
and billions of dollars to the US nuclear industry,” he said.
Defence Cooperation: A Milestone in India-US Strategic
Partnership
PM Modi secured a landmark agreement on defence cooperation,
including access to the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets, known for
their advanced stealth and networked combat capabilities. This marks a
significant step, as India has never before been granted access to this
cutting-edge technology.
Additionally, the leaders announced a new 10-year framework
for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, covering multiple domains,
and pledged collaboration on co-production of defence systems like the Javelin
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and “Stryker” Infantry Combat Vehicles.
In a joint initiative called ASIA (Autonomous Systems
Industry Alliance), the two nations will collaborate on underwater domain
awareness (UDA) technologies, with India being the first country offered such
sensitive technology by the US.
Tackling Terrorism: Extradition of Tahawwur Rana
One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the
announcement of Tahawwur Rana’s extradition. Accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror
attacks, Rana will now face justice in India. Trump called it a “strong signal”
against terrorism and reiterated the US commitment to counter-terrorism
efforts.
The joint statement emphasized enhanced cooperation to
tackle threats from groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and
Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both leaders also called on Pakistan to expedite action
against the perpetrators of cross-border attacks and prevent its territory from
being used for terrorism.
Trade and Security in the Indo-Pacific
The leaders pledged to deepen security cooperation in the
Indo-Pacific, a subtle nod to countering China’s growing influence. They also
announced plans for joint production in advanced technologies such as
artificial intelligence and underwater systems, further cementing their
strategic partnership.
A Quiet Win on Bangladesh
While the primary focus was on bilateral issues, Bangladesh
subtly emerged as a point of interest. When questioned about the role of the
“US deep state” in Bangladesh, Trump deferred the matter to Modi, signaling his
support for India’s position.
With tensions simmering between New Delhi and Dhaka
following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Trump’s stance highlighted
the US’s recognition of India’s role in the region.
Strengthening the India-US Friendship
As PM Modi concluded his visit, he stated that the trip had
“added significant momentum to the India-USA friendship.” From trade agreements
and defence cooperation to counter-terrorism and regional security, the visit
demonstrated a shared vision for a stronger partnership.
With new milestones in energy, defence, and
counter-terrorism, Modi’s visit not only reaffirmed India-US ties but also set
the stage for deeper collaboration in the years to come,
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