PM Modi’s two-day visit to the US comes to an end on Friday. As he departs for Delhi, here’s a complete look at his event visit to Washington. After a joint-press conference earlier the key announcements include, new consulates in Los Angeles and Boston and US and India targeting a $500 billion bilateral trade by 2030. Following Trump’s announcement of increased tarrifs, this meeting came at a strategic time in world news.
PM Modi’s MAGA+MIGA=MEGA Equation To India-US Ties
Why In News
- PM Modi’s two-day visit to the US comes to an end on Friday. As he departs for Delhi, here’s a complete look at his event visit to Washington. After a joint-press conference earlier the key announcements include, new consulates in Los Angeles and Boston and US and India targeting a $500 billion bilateral trade by 2030. Following Trump’s announcement of increased tarrifs, this meeting came at a strategic time in world news.
About The Visit
- PM Modi landed in Washington on Thursay. Welcomed by a warm crowd upon his arrival. they chanted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
- Greeted by the US delegation, PM Modi had an eventful visit. Upon invitation from second time President Trump, the Indian PM was the fourth foreign leader to visit since his inauguration on January 20.
- Indians residing in the US were extremely elated upon his arrival. Given the current deportation of Indian citizens, the Congress raised questions ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Washington.
- PM Modi met the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard and discussed “various aspects of India-USA friendship” as posted by the PM. They also touched base on cybersecurity threats and enhancing intelligence cooperation.
- There were speculations before the press-conference as to the willingness to address the current global issues. After holding the meet with Prime Minister Modi, US President Donald Trump said that Modi had shown a willingness to talk about lowering tariffs and buying more US oil, gas, and military aircraft.
- Trump announced the plans to provide F-35 fighter jets to India after holding bilateral talks with PM Modi.
- There were extensive discussions on bilateral trade and tariffs. Reportedly, the bilateral trade between India and the US was about $130 billion in 2024, and the current US trade deficit with India is around $45 billion.
- A joint-statement has been shared after the Trump-Modi meet. While strengthening relations remained the focal point, the leaders did not hesitate to deliberate on trade policies. They have negotiated a multi-sector agreement by the fall of 2025.
- PM Modi also met Tesla CEO and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head, Elon Musk at Blair House. His intent of launching Starlink in India have been evident. This initiative has faced setbacks due to clashes with Reliance Jio services in India but the discussions might be underway as per agency reports.
All You Need To Know
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint briefing with President Donald Trump in the US, spoke about India’s vision of ‘Make India Great Again’ (MIGA) – a phrase inspired by Mr Trump’s signature slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA). According to PM Modi, a joint vision of ‘MAGA’ and ‘MIGA’ becomes a mega partnership for prosperity.
Important Takeaways
- “The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA – Make America Great Again.‘ The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again – MIGA. When America and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a ‘mega partnership for prosperity’ and it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives,” the PM said.
- Double bilateral trade by 2030: India and US have agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, PM Modi said. Taking a leaf out of Trump’s “Make America Great Again”, PM Modi said that Viksit Bharat means “Make India Great Again”, or MIGA.”MIGA and MAGA together becomes MEGA partnership for prosperity,” PM Modi said.
- “We have set ourselves the target of more than doubling our bilateral trade to attain $500 billion by 2030. Our teams will work on concluding very soon, a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” Modi said.
- Extradition of 26/11 accused: US President Trump announced his administration has approved the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana to India. “We have cleared the extradition of one of the plotters of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack to India. We are handing him over to India where he will face the law and brought to justice,” President Trump said.
- F35 stealth fighter jets: US has announced plans to provide India with F-35 stealth fighter jets. “Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 Stealth fighters.”
- Launch of Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance: PM Modi said they have decided to launch Autonomous System Industry Alliance. PM said, “India and US can together shape a better world. We have decided to launch ‘Autonomous System Industry Alliance’. For the next decade, defence cooperation framework will be made.”
- India and US to help build IMEC corridor: US President Trump said India and US has agreed to work together to help build IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor). “We agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways and undersea cables. It is a big development,” Trump said.
- India reforming laws to welcome US nuclear tech: US President India is also reforming its laws to welcome the US nuclear technology into the Indian market. Trump said, “India is also reforming its laws to welcome the US to nuclear technology at the highest level into the Indian market. This will bring safe, clean and affordable electricity to millions of Indians and tens of billions of dollars to the US civilian nuclear industry in India.”
- US to be leading supplier of oil and gas to India: Addressing the joint news conference, Trump said India and the US have reached an important agreement on energy that will restore the United States as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India. “We have reached an important agreement on energy that will restore America as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India,” he said.
- Increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars: In a significant move, US President Trump said the country will increase military sales to India by billions of dollars. “Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars,” Trump said.
- India, US to work together to confront the radical Islamic terrorism: US President Trump said that terrorism is a common enemy of India and the United States “The United States and India will be working together like never before to confront the radical Islamic terrorism, a threat all over the world. Today I am pleased to announce that the administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India,” Trump said at the joint presser.
- India, US to work together to maintain stability in Indo-Pacific: PM Modi emphasised on peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific as he highlighted QUAD’s crucial role. “India and America’s partnership strengthens democracy and democratic values. We will work together to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. QUAD will have an important role in it. This time, India is going to host the QUAD summit – we will extend our cooperation in new areas with our partner countries during that.”
