Highlights from day 1 of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump meeting
On February 13, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump convened in Washington, D.C., to discuss various aspects of the U.S.-India relationship. Key highlights from their meeting include:
Trade Relations
Tariff Discussions: President Trump emphasized concerns over India’s high tariffs on American goods, labeling India as the “tariff king.” He announced plans to implement reciprocal tariffs to address these disparities. In response, Prime Minister Modi indicated India’s willingness to negotiate tariff reductions and expressed interest in increasing imports of U.S. oil, gas, and defense equipment.
Bilateral Trade Goals: Both leaders set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. They agreed to work towards a comprehensive trade agreement within the next seven months, focusing on sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and establishing supply chains for strategic minerals.
Defense and Security Cooperation
- Defense Procurement: Discussions included India’s potential acquisition of U.S. defense equipment, notably the F-35 fighter jets. The leaders also explored joint production initiatives in areas like artificial intelligence.
Immigration and Deportation
- Deportation Agreements: Prime Minister Modi affirmed India’s readiness to repatriate Indian citizens residing illegally in the U.S. This statement came amid U.S. plans to deport a significant number of Indian nationals without legal status.
Energy Collaboration
- Energy Imports: India expressed interest in significantly increasing its purchases of U.S. oil and gas, aiming to diversify its energy sources and strengthen economic ties with the U.S.
These discussions underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their partnership across multiple sectors, addressing existing challenges while setting a course for future collaboration.