NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday concluded his two-day visit to the US where he held bilateral talks with President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed key issues including trades, tariffs, extradition of 26/11 accused, Russia-Ukraine war, purchase of F-35 fighter jets and India’s border dispute with China.
Setting the tone of the “MEGA partnership”, PM Modi highlighted India and US’s shared commitment to economic growth and global leadership.
“President Trump often talks about MAGA. In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in American context translates into MIGA. And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!” he said.
Here are key takeaways from the visit:
$500 billion bilateral trade target by 2030
India and the US set a bilateral trade target of $500 billion by 2030 in a effort to ensure joint development, joint production and transfer of technology. The terms of the agreement would be decided soon, said PM Modi.
“The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA – Make America Great Again.’ The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047,” PM Modi said.
“In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again – MIGA. When America and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a ‘mega partnership for prosperity’ and it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives. Today, we have also set a target to increase our bilateral trade to more than double, reaching $500 billion by 2030. Our teams will work on finalising very soon a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” he added
US to sell F-35 jets to India
Marking a significant boost to defense cooperation, Donald Trump said that the US would sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, placing the country among an elite group operating the advanced aircraft.
“Starting this year, we’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We’re also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump said.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most extensively deployed fifth-generation fighter jet, participated in the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defense expo earlier this month.
India to buy US energy of up to $ 25 billion
In a significant boost to the energy sector, India is set to buy US energy of almost $25 billion in the near future.
“Last year, we purchased about $15 billion in US Energy output. There is a good chance that this figure will go up to as much as 25 billion dollars in the near future,” ministry of external affairs said in a presser.
The talks between the two leaders focused also on increasing energy purchases, which could play a key role in balancing the trade deficit between India and the United States. Officials indicated that expanded energy trade is a strong possibility and could contribute to narrowing the gap in bilateral trade.
US offers to mediate on India-China border dispute
The US president has offered to mediate in the India-China border dispute and has called for a de-escalation.
“I look at India, I do see the skirmishes on the border, which are quite vicious, and I guess they continue to go on. If I could be of help, I’d love to help, because that should be stopped,” Trump said.
India to take back illegals
PM Modi talked about the issue of illegal immigration and expressed India’s readiness to take back those citizens living unlawfully in the US. However, he emphasized that the issue extended beyond deportation, highlighting the role of human traffickers who mislead individuals with false promises.
There were no comments on the “inhuman treatment” given to the recent deportees when they were restrained and sent back to the country.
“Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the US are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India – if they live in the US illegally, India is ready to take them back,” PM Modi said.
Extradition of 26/11 attack accused approved
US approved the extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana to India, marking another key takeaway from the visit.
“Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice,” Trump said.
In January, the US Supreme Court had approved Rana’s extradition by dismissing his review petition in the case.
Reciprocal approach on tariffs
PM Modi’s visit to the US did not have a significant impact on Donald Trump’s recent move to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from India.
Rather, Trump said that the States would prefer a “reciprocal approach” on tariffs. “We are, right now, a reciprocal nation. We are going to, if it’s India or if it’s somebody else with low tariffs, we’re going to have the same. We’re going to have whatever India charges, we’re charging them. Whatever another country charges, we’re charging them,” Trump said.
He also reiterated his “100% tariffs” on Brics nations threat if they tried to replace the US dollar with any other currency.
“I don’t care, but Brics was put there for a bad purpose and most of those people don’t want it. They don’t even want to talk about it now. They’re afraid to talk about it because I told them if they want to play games with the dollar, then they’re going to be hit with a 100 per cent tariff. The day they mention that they want to do it and they will come back and say we beg you, we beg you not to do this. Brics is dead since I mentioned that. Brics died the minute I mentioned that and I know I remember when Obama and Biden, in particular, I guess he said that oh, they have us over a barrel,” he said.
‘India not neutral, on the side of peace’: PM Modi on Russia-Ukraine war
PM Modi reiterated India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and said that the country was in favour of establishing peace.
“I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine. I have met the leaders of both countries. Many people are in a misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that is peace,” he said.
He lauded Trump’s efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogue, and said that negotiations were the key to ending the crisis.
“I have said that ‘this is not a time of war’ in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table,” he said.
Hugs, handshakes and gifts
PM Modi and US President Trump shared a warm moment with hugs and handshakes at the White House.
Trump also gifted PM Modi a book titled ‘Our Journey together’ which featured images from key events like ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’.
The book signed by Trump said, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”