In a bold move to safeguard both nations’ interests, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly addressed rising concerns over external and internal threats that jeopardise public safety, diplomatic security, and the sovereignty of both the United States and India.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combatting terrorism, organised crime, and the influence of destabilising actors in the region. They underscored the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, coordinated law enforcement efforts, and a unified approach to tackling cybersecurity threats.
Additionally, the two leaders vowed to take stringent action against any elements or entities that threaten the territorial integrity of their respective countries, highlighting the importance of a secure and stable global environment for future cooperation.
Earlier in a significant display of diplomatic and strategic cooperation, US President Trump hosted Indian Prime Minister Modi for an official working visit in Washington, D.C. The two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, emphasising shared values of democracy, freedom, and economic growth.
A key highlight of the visit was the launch of the “U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century”, a transformative initiative aimed at deepening bilateral ties across defence, trade, energy, and technology. The leaders committed to an ambitious, results-driven agenda, pledging to achieve major milestones this year.
Recognising the deepening convergence of their defence interests, Trump and Modi announced plans to sign a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership. The U.S. will expand defence sales and co-production with India, with new agreements for Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles. The two nations will also accelerate negotiations for a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement to streamline defence trade and technology exchange.
A new initiative, the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), was also unveiled, fostering collaborations like Anduril Industries’ partnership with Mahindra Group to develop cutting-edge maritime and AI-enabled counter-drone technologies. Additionally, the leaders pledged to enhance military exercises, including an expanded “Tiger Triumph” tri-service drill and new intelligence-sharing agreements.
In a bold economic move, the leaders set a target to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 through the new “Mission 500” initiative. They committed to negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the end of 2025 to boost market access and eliminate trade barriers.
India’s decision to lower tariffs on key U.S. exports—such as bourbon, motorcycles, and agricultural products—was welcomed, while the U.S. agreed to increase imports of Indian mangoes and pomegranates. The meeting also saw a focus on supply chain resilience and increased investment, with Indian companies announcing $7.35 billion in new ventures across the U.S.
Recognising energy security as a critical pillar of economic growth, Trump and Modi reaffirmed their commitment to expanding U.S.-India energy trade. The U.S. pledged firm support for India’s full membership in the International Energy Agency, while both nations agreed to enhance cooperation in oil and gas production, LNG trade, and nuclear energy. Plans were announced to finalise agreements for U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India, with large-scale localisation and technology transfers on the horizon.
A major breakthrough in tech collaboration came with the launch of the “U.S.-India TRUST” (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative, which will facilitate partnerships in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space.
As part of this initiative, the leaders announced the U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure, which aims to build large-scale AI infrastructure in India with U.S. expertise. Additionally, a new INDUS Innovation bridge was introduced to promote industry and academic collaborations in space and emerging technologies.
2025 is set to be a landmark year for U.S.-India civil space cooperation, with NASA and ISRO partnering to send the first Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) through the AXIOM program. The joint NISAR satellite mission—a groundbreaking project to map Earth’s surface changes—was also confirmed for an early launch.
Reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, the leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation under the Quad framework. Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to New Delhi for the upcoming Quad Summit, where new initiatives on disaster response and maritime security will be unveiled.
Additionally, the two nations committed to greater diplomatic and economic cooperation in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region, launching the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture to boost regional investments and connectivity.
President Donald J. Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi to the White House today.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 13, 2025pic.twitter.com/4UB23j7UvK
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s meeting marks a significant step forward in U.S.-India relations, reinforcing their position as key strategic partners in a rapidly evolving global landscape. With landmark agreements across defence, trade, energy, and technology, the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative is poised to drive transformative change, setting the stage for an even stronger bilateral partnership in the years ahead.
Modi will next host Trump in India for the Quad Summit, where further milestones in the growing alliance are expected to be unveiled.
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