From Defense Cooperation To Trade, Modi-Trump Meeting Yields These Bilateral Agreements
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump announced a slew of initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral ties during their meeting on Feb.13, 2025. The joint statement outlined a comprehensive framework for cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, trade, technology, energy, and people-to-people connections.
Defense Cooperation
The leaders announced plans to sign a new ten-year framework for the 'US-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century', which will further deepen defense ties between the two nations. The US will expand defense sales and co-production with India, including the procurement of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles. The two countries will also accelerate defense technology cooperation across space, air defense, missile, maritime, and undersea technologies.
Trade and Investment
The joint statement outlined an ambitious goal for bilateral trade, dubbed Mission 500, which aims to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. The two countries will work towards finalising the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025.
Technology and Innovation
The launch of the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative will catalyse government-to-government, academia, and private sector collaboration to promote the application of critical and emerging technologies. The two countries will also work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next-generation data centers and AI infrastructure.
Energy Security
The US and India reaffirmed their commitment to the US-India Energy Security Partnership, including cooperation in oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy. The US expressed support for India's membership in the International Energy Agency as a full member.
The statement also announced plans to fully realise the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement - by moving forward with plans to work together to build U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India through large scale localisation and possible technology transfer.
People-to-People Connections
The joint statement recognised the significant contribution of the 300,000-strong Indian student community in the US, which generates over $8 billion annually for the US economy. The two countries committed to strengthening collaborations between higher education institutions and streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals.
The statement also announced plans for setting up of offshore campuses of premier educational institutions of the U.S. in India.
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