During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the US, both nations took significant steps to deepen their partnership across multiple sectors, including defense, trade, and energy. Key announcements included the launch of ‘Mission 500,’ a goal to expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, and a 10-year framework for major defense cooperation.
President Donald Trump and PM Modi introduced ‘U.S.-India COMPACT’, aimed at boosting collaboration in military, commerce, and technology. They committed to a results-oriented agenda, emphasizing trust and mutual growth. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive defense alliance, highlighting India’s growing inventory of U.S.-origin military equipment such as C-130J Super Hercules, Apache helicopters, and MQ-9B drones.
To strengthen defense capabilities, both countries announced co-production of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India. Plans are also in place to procure additional P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft to enhance India’s surveillance in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, both nations will review arms transfer regulations to streamline defense trade and technology exchange.
A new initiative, Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), was launched to promote partnerships in emerging defense technologies, including artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial systems. The leaders also pledged to scale up military cooperation across all domains through enhanced joint training, exercises, and intelligence sharing.
In the trade sector, Mission 500 aims to double trade volume by removing tariff barriers and improving market access. India has already lowered tariffs on U.S. goods, including bourbon and motorcycles, while the US has increased imports of Indian mangoes and pomegranates. A Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is set to be negotiated by 2025.
The two countries also expanded their energy cooperation, with a commitment to increase trade in oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy. The US reaffirmed its support for India’s full membership in the International Energy Agency and agreed to collaborate on nuclear power projects under the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement.
In the technology sector, the leaders announced the U.S.-India TRUST initiative, promoting collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology. A new framework, INDUS Innovation, will encourage joint investments in space and advanced technology. Plans are in place to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 under a NASA-ISRO partnership.
As part of their Indo-Pacific strategy, India and the US will work on enhancing maritime security and infrastructure investments in the Indian Ocean Region. The US also praised India’s leadership role in ensuring regional stability.
With a focus on global security, both leaders condemned terrorism and pledged to intensify cooperation against groups like Al-Qaida, ISIS, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Cybersecurity, intelligence-sharing, and counterterrorism efforts will also be strengthened.
This visit marked a significant step forward in India-US relations, setting the stage for deeper economic, defense, and technological collaboration in the years ahead.
