In a display of warm camaraderie and mutual admiration, US President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House on Thursday. The leaders exchanged a firm handshake and a warm embrace, underscoring a relationship that has grown over the years. Calling Modi a “great friend,” Trump set the stage for a series of high-stakes discussions aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
🇺🇸🤝🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/NJWlmHIxpT
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 13, 2025
Expanding Trade and Economic Cooperation
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the commitment to enhancing trade relations between the US and India. Trump announced that negotiations were underway for “some wonderful trade deals,” as both sides sought to expand cooperation in crucial sectors such as defense, energy, and technology. Modi echoed this sentiment, stating that India and the US had set an ambitious target of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
I've watched Modi for a decade now. No one on the world stage can hold a candle to him. He's respected by all other leaders and loved by Trump. They have a very strong friendship that's going to be mutually beneficial for the coming years. Very exciting. pic.twitter.com/53OrGGYNRl
— Patrick Brauckmann 🕉️ (@vonbrauckmann) February 13, 2025
Recognizing India’s increasing energy demands, Trump highlighted the US’s capacity to fulfill those needs. “We have more oil and gas than any other country in the world, and India needs it,” he said, indicating a potential surge in energy exports to India. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening oil and gas trade as part of its long-term energy security strategy.
Defense Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships
In a significant development, Trump offered India advanced fighter jets, reinforcing the defense partnership between the two nations. Despite the US administration’s stricter trade policies with other countries, the Trump-Modi bond remained unwavering, with both leaders emphasizing their shared vision for economic and military cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington followed a series of meetings with key US figures, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy. These interactions highlighted India’s growing diplomatic outreach and its strategic importance on the global stage.
Addressing Security and Terrorism
In a major announcement, Trump confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. “He will face justice,” Trump declared during a joint press conference, reinforcing the US’s support in India’s fight against terrorism. This development marks a significant moment in Indo-US counterterrorism cooperation.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
A major highlight of the talks was the reaffirmation of India and the US’s collaboration on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), an initiative set to enhance global trade routes. Trump hailed IMEC as “one of the greatest trade routes in history,” designed to link India with Israel, Italy, and eventually the US.
The corridor, structured in two parts—an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf and a Northern Corridor linking the Gulf region to Europe—aims to revolutionize trade through railways, ship-rail transit, and road networks. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on IMEC was signed at the G20 Summit in 2023, with participation from India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several European nations.
“We are investing in infrastructure, undersea cables, and trade networks,” Trump stated, emphasizing the scale of investment required to sustain the project. “With today’s announcements, I believe the US-India friendship is the strongest it has ever been.”
Shared Vision for the Future
During the joint press conference, Modi drew parallels between Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan and India’s national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” a roadmap for India’s transformation into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence. “Together, India and the US have a MEGA partnership for prosperity,” Modi remarked.
President Trump often talks about MAGA.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2025
In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in American context translates into MIGA.
And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!@POTUS @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/i7WzVrxKtv
As Modi became the fourth world leader to visit the White House since Trump’s re-election, the meeting signaled a strong and enduring partnership between the two nations. With commitments on trade, defense, security, and global connectivity, the Modi-Trump discussions marked another step in strengthening Indo-US relations, reinforcing the notion that the partnership between these two democracies is poised for a dynamic future.
