Following a high-profile bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump at the White House, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided a comprehensive overview of the key initiatives launched during the visit. The meeting underscored the deepening India-US partnership, spanning trade, investment, defense, and technology.
One of the most significant announcements was the launch of Mission-500, a groundbreaking initiative in trade and investment, aimed at more than doubling two-way trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Highlighting the scale and ambition of this initiative, Mr. Misri remarked, “The two leaders also announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by the fall of 2025. Both countries will take an integrated approach to strengthen bilateral trade across the goods and services sector. There is a renewed commitment to making greenfield investments in high-value industries in each other’s countries.”
Another key development was the unveiling of the US-India Compact for the 21st Century, designed to accelerate collaboration in military partnerships, commerce, and technological advancements. Addressing a press briefing, Mr. Misri noted, “Two leaders jointly launched the US-India Compact for the 21st Century, for catalyzing opportunities in military partnership, accelerated commerce, and technology.”
In addition to the economic strides, the leaders announced their commitment to finalizing a new 10-year framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, covering the period from 2025 to 2035. This framework aims to bolster defense ties, including advancing procurement negotiations and co-production agreements across land and air systems. “The leaders announced plans to finalize a new 10-year framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership. They also agreed to move forward on ongoing defense procurement negotiations for a number of platforms, including land and air systems and co-production agreements,” Mr. Misri stated. He further revealed that discussions on a reciprocal defense procurement agreement are set to commence soon.
The camaraderie between PM Modi and President Trump was evident as they exchanged a warm embrace upon Modi’s arrival at the White House. Reaffirming the strength of the India-US relationship, Mr. Trump asserted that the two nations were poised to forge even closer ties in the years ahead.
Expressing his optimism, PM Modi conveyed his delight at meeting President Trump again, remarking, “I am delighted to see you back at the White House for a second term and confident that our countries will continue to advance India-US strategic partnership with the same bond, trust, and excitement.” He further emphasized the historic nature of his third consecutive term as India’s Prime Minister, a rare occurrence in the country’s political landscape over the past 60 years.
Notably, PM Modi is among the first global leaders to visit the United States following President Trump’s inauguration for his second term, marking the visit as a symbol of the enduring and dynamic strategic partnership between the two nations.
