Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Friday, discussing ways to deepen the India-US partnership across various sectors, including defense, trade, and energy. The meeting reaffirmed both leaders’ commitment to enhancing strategic collaboration and strengthening economic ties.

A warm embrace between the two leaders made headlines, with Trump calling PM Modi a “great friend” and saying, “We missed you, we missed you a lot.” Their discussions led to significant announcements that are expected to shape the future of US-India relations.

Key takeaways from the Modi-Trump meeting

Renewed focus on civil nuclear cooperation

One of the key highlights of the meeting was a push for greater collaboration in the civil nuclear energy sector. Both leaders agreed to work on US-designed nuclear reactors in India through large-scale localization and potential technology transfer.

A joint statement emphasized amendments to India’s Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) to facilitate smoother collaboration between Indian and US industries in the production and deployment of nuclear reactors.

Doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion

Modi and Trump set an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. PM Modi stated, “We have set ourselves the target of more than doubling our bilateral trade to attain $500 billion by 2030. Our teams will work on concluding a mutually beneficial trade agreement very soon.”

Boosting military trade, including F-35 fighter jets

Trump announced that the US will significantly increase military sales to India, including the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets. This move places India among a select group of countries, alongside NATO allies, Israel, and Japan, that have access to these advanced aircraft.

“We will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters ultimately,” Trump said.

‘MIGA’ and ‘MAGA’ – A vision for US-India partnership

During the meeting, Modi introduced a new slogan, “MIGA” (Make India Great Again), aligning with Trump’s campaign slogan, “MAGA” (Make America Great Again). He highlighted how the US and India are working towards a “MEGA” (MIGA + MAGA) partnership for prosperity.

“President Trump often talks about MAGA. In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in the American context translates into MIGA. And together, India and the US have a MEGA partnership for prosperity,” Modi stated.

India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war

PM Modi reiterated India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolution. He dismissed the notion that India is neutral, stating, “Many people are under the misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that side is peace.”

Agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Both leaders agreed to work together on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which Trump described as “one of the greatest trade routes in history.” The corridor will connect India to Israel, Italy, and the US, boosting economic and trade opportunities.

“We agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US. A lot of money is going to be spent, and we have already spent some, but we are going to be spending a lot more,” Trump said.

Looking ahead

The Modi-Trump meeting laid the groundwork for a stronger US-India partnership, with commitments spanning defense, trade, energy, and global diplomacy. As both nations work toward achieving these ambitious goals, the coming years could witness a transformative shift in their bilateral relations.