'5th gen jets, Mission 500, LAC': Takeaways from Modi-Trump meet
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump met for a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Friday.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues across sectors such as defense, trade, technology and energy.
The meeting came after Trump announced a new reciprocal tariff policy for all US trading partners, including India.
To drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation, the two leaders launched COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology).
Defense and trade
US-India defense partnership and trade targets
Under COMPACT initiative, they committed to a results-driven agenda with initial outcomes this year to demonstrate the level of trust for a mutually beneficial partnership.
They also discussed a 10-year framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership, including deals for Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker armored vehicles.
The US is also mulling policies to release fifth-generation fighter jets and undersea systems to India.
Tech and energy
Technology partnerships and energy security discussions
Energy discussions included recommitting to the India-US Energy Security Partnership and advancing the India-US 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, with a focus on advanced small modular reactors.
Both leaders touched upon people-to-people ties by pledging to expand joint degrees and streamline student mobility.
Recognizing the importance of academic collaborations, they resolved to strengthen collaborations between higher education institutions. They planned to do this by creating joint centers of excellence and offshore campuses of some of the best US universities in India.
Cooperation and ties
People-to-people ties and multilateral cooperation
They also spoke about strengthening law enforcement ties against organized crime and terrorism.
On multilateral cooperation, Trump confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Both leaders condemned Pakistan's inaction against terrorist networks and discussed initiatives within the Quad alliance.
They committed to strengthening cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qa'ida, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, to prevent attacks like 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan in 2021.
Trade
Target to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion
On trade, they set a target to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 under "Mission 500," with plans to finalize a bilateral trade agreement by autumn 2025.
They resolved to deepen US-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security, and job creation.
In the technology sector, the TRUST Initiative was announced to promote partnerships in critical technologies.
A US-India AI Roadmap is anticipated by year-end, with plans to expand Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing in the US.
Tariffs and extradition
Trump offers to mediate in border issue
On tariffs, Trump emphasized India's high tariffs on American goods as an issue but said Modi announced reductions in tariffs during their talks.
The US welcomed India's recent measures to lower tariffs on US products of interest in the areas of bourbon, motorcycles, ICT products and metals, among others.
Trump also offered to mediate to end the border issues between India and China along the LAC, saying, "If I could be of help, I'd love to...because that should be stopped."