U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic and security partnerships during a high-level meeting at the White House.
Modi set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade between the two nations to $500 billion by 2030, while Trump emphasized his goal of reducing the U.S. trade deficit with India. The agreements come in the wake of Trump's recently unveiled reciprocal tariff roadmap, which imposes duties on nations that place tariffs on U.S. imports.
Speaking at the meeting, Trump highlighted the $100 billion U.S. trade deficit with India and announced the commencement of negotiations to address long-standing trade disparities.
“Today, the U.S. trade deficit with India is almost $100 billion, and Prime Minister Modi and I have agreed that we’ll begin negotiations to address the long-running disparities… We can make up the difference very easily with the sale of oil and gas,” Trump stated.
As part of the discussions, the U.S. will expand its energy exports to India, positioning itself as a key supplier of liquefied natural gas and nuclear technology.
In a significant move to bolster defense ties, Trump confirmed that the U.S. will increase military sales to India beginning in 2025. As part of the deal, India will receive F-35 fighter jets, a decision widely viewed as a strategic counterbalance to China’s expanding military influence in the region. Security concerns also took center stage, particularly in the realm of counterterrorism. Trump announced the approval of an extradition request for a suspect linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
“Today, I’m pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters of the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India,” Trump said.
Echoing Trump’s sentiments, Modi emphasized India's dedication to the fight against terrorism.
“We stand strongly together in the fight against terrorism… That criminal is now going to be handed over to India, and appropriate action will be taken,” Modi affirmed.
Beyond trade and security, the discussions extended to tariffs, energy exports, and strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump reiterated India's role as a key buyer of U.S. energy resources.
“The Prime Minister and I reached an important agreement on energy that will restore the United States as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India,” he stated.
With negotiations set to commence on a formal trade deal, both nations are poised to strengthen their economic and security partnership, with defense and energy agreements slated to take effect in the coming years.
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