The US President and the Prime Minister of India discussed balancing defence strategies and trade through the sale of oil and energy.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House on February 13, where two leaders discussed defense, trade, energy, infrastructure and regional partnerships.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue last month.
“We are pleased to report today’s announcement that the friendship between the US and India is the strongest ever,” Trump said at a joint press conference following the bilateral meeting.
The US is India’s largest trading partner. There is a trade deficit of $45.6 billion between the two countries.
“We can make up for the difference in oil and gas sales (liquefied natural gas) in a loss very easily.
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Bilateral trade agreements are expected in the current calendar year, which includes balancing the US trade deficit and closing India’s national security.
“We’re also opening up a way to ultimately offer India the F-35 stealth fighter,” Trump said.
Modi described the relationship as essential to India’s national defense.
Trump said the US will also hand over to India the suspects allegedly involved in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that killed more than 160 people, including six Americans.
For further security efforts, leaders will strengthen their quad partnerships, including the US, India, Japan and Australia, “to build stability and peace across the Indo-Pacific region.”
“It’s really important to maintain peace, prosperity and tranquility,” Trump said.
The diplomatic relations that India maintains with European countries and others around the world can prove beneficial in negotiating the end of the Crane War with Russia.
Playing the slogan for the new president’s trademark campaign, Modi said his goal is to make India great again.
“When it comes to Maga and Miga, it’s a mega partnership,” Modi said.
He said the two countries are trying to raise trade to more than $500 billion by 2030.
According to Modi, India has set its target to become a fully developed country by 2047, benefiting more than 1.4 billion residents.
“India has a relatively high trade barrier, which has increased significantly during the first term of the Modi government. However, India faces similar – greater pressure, but has improved its own manufacturing sector. It’s there.”
Development of technology partnerships that promote semiconductor production and increase supply chain resilience is a priority to ensure that the Trump administration cannot “weaponize critical supply chains and technologies.” .
Trump also promotes planned international development projects to enhance trade that promotes transport from India, Israel and the United States using a series of ports, railroads, subsea cables and other infrastructure projects. did.
“It’s a huge development,” he said. “It’s going to cost a lot of money.”
India has one of the world’s largest reserves of rare earth elements, offering a valuable opportunity for the US to reduce its dependence on China.
Countering China through a partnership between the US and India is a “national security focus and approach,” according to White House officials who called US relations, which includes many economic and geopolitical elements. It’s the core part. and India “one of the most important, if not the most important, if not the most important, bilateral relations of the 21st century.” ”
Since taking office on January 20th, Trump has hosted a series of world leaders, with Modi becoming the fourth to visit the White House.
In the coming days, the Trump administration is expected to encourage India to buy US products.
“We envision a stronger defence partnership,” the executive officials said. “We have the ability to literally drive the Indian economy with US energy sales.”
