WASHINGTON, Feb 14: In a significant announcement after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump revealed that India will increase its purchases of oil, gas, and military equipment, including F-35 fighter jets, from the United States to help reduce the trade deficit. However, he emphasized that New Delhi would not be exempt from reciprocal tariffs.
During their meeting at the White House on Thursday (Friday local time in India), Trump greeted Modi with a lengthy handshake and a warm hug, referring to him as a “great friend” and a “terrific” individual.
At a joint press conference following their talks, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a significant trade agreement soon and criticized India’s import duties on certain American goods as “very unfair” and “strong.”
“Whatever India charges, we will charge them,” Trump stated, underscoring the principle of reciprocity in trade.
This meeting took place shortly after Trump announced a new tariff policy aimed at all US trading partners, continuing a series of such measures initiated by his administration.
Trump mentioned that he and Modi have come to an agreement that may establish the US as the “number one supplier” of oil and gas to India, as part of efforts to address the US trade deficit with India, which currently stands at approximately $45 billion.
The US president also indicated that both nations have agreed to enhance their overall defense collaboration.
“Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by billions of dollars,” Trump announced. “We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with F-35 stealth fighters,” he added, highlighting the F-35 jets as among the world’s most advanced and capable fighter aircraft.
Furthermore, Trump declared that India and the US will work together “like never before” to combat the threat of radical Islamic terrorism globally.
“I’m pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the world’s most notorious criminals,” he remarked, referring to the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a plotter of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, to India. Rana is currently being held in a Los Angeles detention center and is linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the terror attacks.
“He will be returning to India to face justice,” Trump said. “We are giving him back to India immediately,” adding that more extraditions could follow as several requests from New Delhi are under consideration.
Trump also highlighted the positive developments in India-US cooperation within the civil nuclear energy sector. “In a groundbreaking move for the US nuclear industry, India is reforming laws to welcome US nuclear technology into its market,” he noted.
Prime Minister Modi, in his remarks, stated that cooperation between India and the US has the potential to create a better world. He announced plans to develop a defense cooperation framework for the upcoming decade.
“One thing I deeply admire in President Trump is his prioritization of US national interests. Similarly, I too place India’s national interest above all else,” Modi remarked.
When asked about discussions regarding business tycoon Gautam Adani, Modi clarified: “India is a democracy, and our ethos is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ meaning we see the whole world as one family. Every Indian is important to me. Individual matters do not come up in discussions between leaders of our two nations.”
On the topic of India-China relations following the border conflicts in eastern Ladakh, Trump described the “skirmishes” as “vicious.” He expressed a desire to help improve relations among China, India, Russia, and the US.
Modi and Trump also addressed questions about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. “I support Donald Trump’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to end the war,” said Modi, noting that while some view India as neutral, India is firmly on the side of peace. “When I met with President Putin, I stated that ‘this is not the era for war.’ I believe that solutions can only emerge through dialogue, not on the battlefield,” he added.
On the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Trump stated that both parties agreed to collaborate on what could become one of the “greatest trade routes” in history.
Before his meeting with Trump, Prime Minister Modi engaged in separate talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, billionaire Elon Musk, and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy. (PTI)
