Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized a robust India-US partnership by linking India’s Viksit Bharat vision with former US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan. During a joint briefing, Modi introduced “Make India Great Again” (MIGA), calling the combined vision a “MEGA partnership for prosperity.”

Modi explained that while Americans recognize Trump’s MAGA motto, India is on a similar path of heritage and development, moving toward its 2047 goal of Viksit Bharat. In an American context, this transformation aligns with MIGA. He stated that when both countries collaborate, MAGA and MIGA merge into a MEGA partnership, expanding shared objectives and economic growth.

Economic cooperation remained a key focus, with both nations setting an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Modi affirmed that teams from both sides are working toward a mutually beneficial trade agreement, aiming to accelerate joint development, production, and technology transfer.

Energy security also featured prominently in the discussions, with India and the US agreeing to enhance oil and gas trade, boosting investment in energy infrastructure. Modi highlighted plans to deepen nuclear energy collaboration, particularly in the advancement of small modular reactors, further strengthening India’s energy capabilities.

On the defense front, Modi acknowledged America’s critical role in India’s military preparedness. He revealed that new technology and equipment would be introduced in the coming days, enhancing India’s strategic capacity.

Following the meeting, Modi reiterated his vision on social media, stating that America and India together form a MEGA partnership, shaping a prosperous future for both nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US has been hailed as a transformative event for India-US trade relations, with top business chambers highlighting its significance. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) emphasized that the visit reinforced economic collaboration, opened new investment opportunities, and strengthened strategic ties.

Assocham president Sanjay Nayar noted that key developments from Modi’s discussions with former President Donald Trump included deeper cooperation in defense, counterterrorism, energy security—including fossil fuels and nuclear power—trade, and investment. A significant milestone was the commitment to accelerating AI infrastructure, with a roadmap expected by the year’s end. He also underscored that the ambitious target of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 is well within reach, with upcoming negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) expected to unlock fresh opportunities.

FIEO president Ashwani Kumar described the visit as a crucial step in enhancing economic engagement between India and the US. With America being one of India’s leading trading partners, this strengthened relationship will create new avenues for Indian exporters. Kumar highlighted that the focus on technology, defense, and renewable energy will elevate India’s competitiveness in global markets.

The visit also paved the way for increased US investments in India, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, defense, and technology. These investments are set to fuel new industries, generate employment, and bolster India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Additionally, cooperation in IT, artificial intelligence, and 5G infrastructure will expand growth opportunities for Indian tech companies in the US.

Kumar further praised the timeline set for finalizing a multi-sector BTA by Fall 2025, which aims to enhance market access, reduce trade barriers, and improve supply chain efficiency. The discussions reaffirmed India’s strategic importance as a global trade and innovation hub, positioning both nations for a stronger economic future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met in Washington to reinforce the growing India-US partnership across multiple sectors, including trade, defense, and energy. The talks covered a broad spectrum of strategic interests, highlighting deeper economic ties and shared global commitments.

One of the primary discussions centered on nuclear energy, where both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in atomic power. The US pledged to support India’s nuclear ambitions by enabling large-scale localization of American-designed reactors. Additionally, they welcomed India’s budgetary changes aimed at amending nuclear liability laws, which would facilitate collaboration between Indian and American firms in reactor production and deployment.

Trade relations were another focal point, with both leaders setting an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade to reach $500 billion by 2030. Modi emphasized the commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial trade agreement soon, ensuring expanded market access and investment opportunities for both nations.

On the defense front, Trump announced that the US would significantly increase military sales to India, including the potential delivery of F-35 stealth fighter jets. This move would bring India’s defense capabilities in line with select NATO allies, reinforcing its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region. The US President emphasized that billions of dollars in defense agreements were on the horizon, strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

During the discussions, PM Modi introduced a new slogan, “MIGA” (Make India Great Again), drawing inspiration from Trump’s “MAGA” campaign. He highlighted India’s vision for development and economic growth, positioning the India-US relationship as a key driver of global prosperity.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict was also addressed, with Modi reaffirming India’s stance on peace and diplomacy. He dismissed claims of India’s neutrality, asserting that the country firmly stands for a peaceful resolution through negotiations.

Additionally, both nations agreed to collaborate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a trade route designed to connect India, Israel, Italy, and the US. Trump described this initiative as one of history’s greatest trade routes, emphasizing significant investments to enhance global trade infrastructure.

The Modi-Trump meeting underscored the strengthening of India-US ties, paving the way for deeper cooperation in global trade, defense, and energy security.

US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great friend” during his visit to the White House, emphasizing their long-standing ties. Welcoming Modi, Trump noted that they have maintained strong relations and highlighted the significance of their discussions on trade, oil, and gas. He praised Modi’s leadership and acknowledged India’s growing role in global commerce.

Speaking alongside PM Modi, Trump expressed his appreciation for their partnership. “It’s an honor to have Prime Minister Modi here. We have shared a great relationship over the years, and it’s wonderful to continue working together. India will be purchasing significant amounts of our oil and gas, which we have in abundance,” Trump stated. He also underscored the importance of trade relations, noting that energy collaboration would be a key focus.

Earlier, Trump greeted Modi at the White House’s West Wing lobby, where the two leaders exchanged a warm hug. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared an image of their meeting on social media, showcasing the camaraderie between the two leaders. 

PM Modi was among the first world leaders invited to visit the US following Trump’s inauguration. The two leaders had spoken twice since November 2024, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar represented India at Trump’s inauguration and later met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and QUAD foreign ministers.

Before his meeting with Trump, Modi held discussions with key figures, including US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Modi’s visit to the US followed his three-day tour of France, where he co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on artificial intelligence, trade, and cultural collaboration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump engaged in high-level discussions, reinforcing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Their meeting covered crucial sectors, including artificial intelligence, trade, defense, and energy, reflecting the growing cooperation between the two nations.

AI development featured prominently in the talks, with both leaders recognizing its transformative potential across industries. They stressed the importance of ethical AI frameworks, technological collaboration, and innovation-driven growth. India and the US are set to enhance joint research initiatives and explore AI-driven solutions to economic and security challenges.

Trade relations also took center stage as Modi and Trump examined ways to strengthen economic ties. With annual bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion, both nations emphasized removing trade barriers, ensuring fair market access, and promoting investment opportunities. India reiterated its commitment to economic reforms, while the US expressed interest in expanding American exports to the Indian market.

Defense cooperation remained a key priority, with both leaders underscoring the importance of military collaboration. Discussions included the acquisition of advanced defense systems, joint military exercises, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to counter global security threats. The US reaffirmed its support for India’s defense modernization efforts, with agreements expected to boost military capabilities and interoperability.

Energy partnerships were another focal point, with India seeking greater access to US energy resources. The two countries explored avenues to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, advance renewable energy collaborations, and strengthen energy security initiatives. Investments in clean energy and infrastructure projects were also discussed, reflecting a mutual commitment to sustainable growth.

The Modi-Trump meeting reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between India and the US. Both leaders acknowledged the significance of their collaboration in shaping global economic and security policies, setting the stage for deeper engagement in the years ahead.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that India and the United States have set an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Speaking at a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump, Modi highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations across various sectors, including defense, energy, and artificial intelligence.

Drawing inspiration from Trump’s well-known slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), Modi introduced “Make India Great Again” (MIGA). He emphasized that combining these visions would result in a “MEGA partnership for prosperity.” Currently, the US is India’s largest trading partner, with trade between the two countries reaching $129.2 billion in 2024.

Modi underscored India’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in oil and gas, renewable energy, and defense. He stated that the US plays a crucial role in India’s defense modernization, with both countries advancing joint development, production, and technology transfers. He also announced plans to establish an Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance, strengthening defense partnerships over the next decade.

During his speech, Trump revealed a significant agreement that positions the US as a key energy supplier to India. He noted that India is updating its policies to facilitate the entry of advanced US nuclear technology into its market, ensuring safe and affordable electricity for millions. This initiative is expected to generate billions of dollars for the US civilian nuclear industry.

Trump also confirmed that India and the US are paving the way for future sales of F-35 fighter jets, further deepening military cooperation. Additionally, both leaders agreed to develop a major trade corridor—the India, Middle East, and Europe (IMEC) corridor. The route will link India to Israel, Italy, and ultimately the US through roads, railways, and undersea cables, creating one of the most significant trade networks in history.

Both nations reaffirmed their strategic partnership, setting the stage for a decade of economic and technological collaboration that will redefine global trade dynamics.

Washington DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the US capital on Wednesday (EST) after concluding his visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders also held bilateral discussions before Modi departed for the US, where he is set to meet President Donald Trump.

During this two-day visit, PM Modi will be the fourth foreign leader to meet Trump since his inauguration on January 20. Their meeting will be followed by a joint press conference and a dinner hosted by the US President.

Earlier in the day, Modi met Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, to discuss intelligence cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and emerging security challenges.

Modi’s Schedule in Washington (EST):

16:00 – Arrival at the White House
16:05 – 16:50 – Bilateral meeting with President Trump
17:10 – 17:40 – Joint press statements
17:40 – 18:40 – Dinner hosted by Trump

Significance of the Modi-Trump Meeting:

The talks between PM Modi and President Trump come at a crucial time, with India concerned about Washington’s “America First” trade policies and their impact on Indian exports. Given Trump’s tough stance on tariffs, Modi is expected to push for a trade agreement that prevents punitive measures against Indian goods.

The discussions are also likely to focus on strengthening economic ties, increasing defense cooperation, and addressing visa policies that impact Indian professionals. Experts believe the leaders may explore a potential trade deal to enhance bilateral commerce.

With growing global uncertainties, this high-level engagement is expected to shape the future of India-US relations across trade, investment, energy, technology, and security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet US President Donald Trump today, marking one of the first high-level diplomatic interactions of the Trump administration. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the meeting as a significant moment for India-US relations.

“It’s quite important that our Prime Minister is among the first world leaders to meet President Trump. If I’m not mistaken, he is the fourth head of government to visit Washington within the administration’s first month,” Tharoor noted.

While the detailed agenda remains undisclosed, Tharoor outlined key issues India is likely to focus on. “There are trade matters, especially with Trump discussing tariffs, and concerns over H-1B visas for Indian professionals. Additionally, the way illegal immigrants are deported and treated in the US is another concern that India may address.”

Beyond trade and immigration, global security is also expected to feature in the discussions. “There could be talks about Ukraine, given that PM Modi has engaged with both Ukraine and Russia. President Trump has also taken new initiatives in this area. India is also set to host a Quad summit—will Trump participate? These are key questions we should wait to see answered,” Tharoor added.

The meeting signifies India’s proactive approach in engaging with the new US administration, paving the way for critical discussions on trade, immigration, and geopolitical alliances.