Forward of his assembly with US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met key members of his crew — Nationwide Safety Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and billionaire Elon Musk — in Washington DC on Thursday.
Among the many points mentioned have been: “intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity”, “defence, expertise and safety”, cooperation in “AI, semiconductors and area”. Modi and Waltz additionally mentioned “strategic applied sciences”, in addition to “defence industrial cooperation and civil nuclear power with an emphasis on small modular reactors, and counter-terrorism”.
A brand new defence framework, a good commerce deal in 2025 and continuation of the cooperation on important applied sciences are on the desk on the assembly between Modi and Trump on Thursday afternoon native time (early Friday India time).
Modi — who arrived in Washington DC late final evening — started his go to by assembly newly appointed Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, simply hours after her affirmation.
With Gabbard — who heads the whole US intelligence group of 17 intelligence businesses together with the CIA — the discussions targeted on “enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity & rising threats,” the Ministry of Exterior Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned on X.
“Met USA’s Director of Nationwide Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her affirmation. Mentioned varied points of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s all the time been a robust votary,” Modi posted on X.
With NSA Mike Waltz, defence, expertise and safety dominated the dialog and the main target was on cooperation in AI, semiconductors and area. “Had a fruitful assembly with NSA @michaelgwaltz. He has all the time been an ideal good friend of India. Defence, expertise and safety are vital points of India-USA ties and we had a beautiful dialogue round these points. There’s sturdy potential for cooperation in sectors like AI, semiconductors, area and extra,” Modi posted on X.
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A press release by the MEA mentioned: “The discussions touched upon methods to additional deepen the India-US Complete International Strategic Partnership, with a concentrate on strategic applied sciences, in addition to defence industrial cooperation and civil nuclear power with an emphasis on small modular reactors, and counterterrorism. Additionally they mentioned worldwide, and regional problems with mutual curiosity.”
With Musk, world’s richest man and proprietor of Tesla, SpaceX and X who leads the Trump administration’s Division of Authorities Effectivity, Modi mentioned “area, mobility, expertise and innovation”.
“Had an excellent assembly with @elonmusk in Washington DC. We mentioned varied points, together with these he’s enthusiastic about resembling area, mobility, expertise and innovation. I talked about India’s efforts in direction of reform and furthering ‘Minimal Authorities, Most Governance,” Modi posted on X.
Modi’s two-day go to to the US comes amid considerations in New Delhi over Trump’s aggressive positioning on immigration and tariffs. With Trump’s reciprocal tariff coverage, Modi’s key precedence is more likely to be to pre-empt any punitive commerce motion by Washington in opposition to India.
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Trump administration officers mentioned they’re shifting ahead with talks on a bilateral commerce deal, they usually hoped to have a deal in place this yr. They wish to see extra defence and power gross sales to steadiness the commerce deficit. India and the US have bilateral commerce of about US$ 200 billion, and India has a commerce surplus of about US$ 40-50 billion in its favour.
“We envision a stronger defence partnership, that’s procurement and shifting ahead on issues like defence workouts,” a US administration official mentioned.
Whereas sources mentioned {that a} new defence framework is more likely to be introduced, the India-US defence cooperation is predicated on “New Framework for India-US Defence Cooperation” which was renewed for 10 years in 2015.
The 2 sides are anticipated to proceed cooperation on potential threats from China and how one can strengthen the Quad partnership to advertise stability and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific.
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The Trump administration can be eager to promote US power to India, as this has the potential to convey down the commerce deficit, US officers mentioned. The US is India’s sixth largest power commerce companion and India’s hydrocarbon commerce with the US was US$ 13.6 billion in FY 2023-24.
A commerce deal, the place either side are in a position to make concessions on tariffs and market entry, is anticipated to scale back the commerce deficit as nicely, sources mentioned. On this context, the Trump administration additionally feels that India can use the chance offered by the tariffs on China.
The Modi-Trump assembly comes a day after the US President spoke to each Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a bid to finish the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This might be the primary bilateral talks between the 2 leaders after Trump assumed the presidency for a second time period final month. The 2 leaders have spoken on the telephone twice since November final yr.
“The President, I feel, will welcome a dialog with revered world leaders, together with Prime Minister Modi, about how we will constructively transfer in direction of peace in Europe,” mentioned the Trump administration official.
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Modi’s go to additionally comes days after the Trump administration deported 104 unlawful Indian immigrants in handcuffs and shackles on a army plane, triggering outrage in India. India would need the US authorities to deal with the unlawful immigrants humanely, and to not let the problem of unlawful immigration impression the authorized channels, together with the H1B visa programme.
After his arrival, Modi posted on X: “Landed in Washington DC a short time in the past. Trying ahead to assembly @POTUS Donald Trump and constructing upon the India-USA Complete International Strategic Partnership. Our nations will hold working intently for the advantage of our folks and for a greater future for our planet.” He was obtained by Appearing Chief of Protocol within the US administration, Abby Jones.
Modi is staying on the Blair Home, the US presidential guesthouse on the coronary heart of Washington DC. His conferences in Washington DC sign that he’s reaching out to the influential gamers within the Trump administration. He additionally met entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was earlier one of many Republican Presidential candidates and is now aspiring to run for the Ohio Governor’s place.
