Modi-Trump Meeting: F-35 Jets, Oil Purchases Among ‘Wonderful Trade Deals’ US Seeks with India
Washington, D.C. – In a high-profile meeting at the White House on Friday, US President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing him as a “great friend” while signaling that India would not be exempt from his administration’s tougher trade policies. The leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions on defense, energy, and critical technology, with Trump announcing plans to finalize “some wonderful trade deals” with India.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade Relations
Trump underscored the importance of trade between the two nations, noting that significant agreements would be announced soon. However, he reiterated concerns over tariffs and market access, an issue that has been a longstanding point of contention between the US and India.
“We are going to work with India. We have separate big trade deals to announce in the very near future,” Trump stated.
In response, Modi congratulated Trump on securing his second term and expressed optimism about deepening economic ties. “I firmly believe that in your second term, we will work with more speed,” Modi said, emphasizing India’s commitment to strengthening its economic partnership with the US.
Trade Tensions and Tariff Disputes
Trade tensions between the US and India remain a sticking point, with Trump previously criticizing India as the “tariff king.” The new reciprocal tariff policy, announced earlier in the day, seeks to match tariffs imposed by other nations on US goods.
Trump cited disparities in agricultural import duties as an example, pointing out that while the US applies an average tariff of 5%, India’s average rate stands at 39%. “Whatever India charges, we charge them,” Trump said, adding, “So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge.”
Despite these frictions, both leaders signaled progress in economic initiatives, with India aiming to double its trade volume with the US by 2030. Washington, in turn, is positioning itself as a key energy supplier to India.
Defense and Energy Cooperation
The meeting marked significant progress in defense cooperation, with India expressing interest in acquiring more American military hardware, including the highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
“We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump confirmed, signaling the deepening of strategic military ties between the two nations.
Energy cooperation was another focal point, with India agreeing to increase its purchases of American oil and natural gas. “We have more oil and gas than any other country in the world, and they need it,” Trump stated, highlighting India’s growing demand for energy as an opportunity for American exporters.
Immigration and Extradition Agreements
The discussion also touched upon immigration and extradition. Trump noted that India is a significant source of both legal and undocumented migrants to the US and emphasized the need for better enforcement of immigration policies.
In a notable development, Trump confirmed that the US had approved the extradition of a suspect linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, calling it a step toward justice. “We’re giving him back to India immediately,” Trump said, adding that additional extradition requests could be processed soon.Business and Technology Collaborations
Modi also met with key business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose satellite venture, Starlink, is exploring opportunities in the Indian market. Discussions with top US officials covered areas such as counterterrorism and cybersecurity cooperation
Future Outlook
As both nations navigate trade disputes and economic shifts, the Modi-Trump meeting signified a step forward in deepening Indo-US relations. With commitments on trade, defense, and energy, the two leaders reaffirmed their intent to strengthen strategic ties while addressing outstanding issues in a mutually beneficial manner.
