In a landmark development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump held bilateral talks at the White House on February 13, 2025, reinforcing their commitment to deepening India-U.S. strategic ties across multiple sectors, including defense, trade, and energy security.
Defense and Security Cooperation
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense ties by signing a new ten-year framework for the India-U.S. Major Defense Partnership. The U.S. agreed to expand defense sales and co-production with India, including procurement agreements for Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles.
Additionally, India is set to acquire six more P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft, enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. The leaders also announced the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to scale up industry partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. A key area of focus will be co-development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with private firms like Anduril Industries and Mahindra Group.
The U.S. also pledged to review its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighter jets and undersea technologies to India, signaling deeper military collaboration.
Trade and Investment Expansion
Setting a bold new trade goal, India and the U.S. announced “Mission 500”, targeting a doubling of bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Leaders committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by July 2025 to improve market access, tariff reduction, and supply chain integration.
As part of trade liberalization, India has taken steps to lower tariffs on key U.S. exports, including bourbon, motorcycles, ICT products, and metals. The U.S., in return, has enhanced market access for Indian mangoes and pomegranates, further strengthening agricultural trade ties.
Additionally, U.S. firms are investing approximately $7.35 billion in India’s manufacturing sector, with major projects by Hindalco’s Novelis (Alabama and Kentucky), JSW Steel (Texas and Ohio), Epsilon Advanced Materials (North Carolina), and Jubilant Pharma (Washington, D.C.). These investments will create over 3,000 high-quality jobs.
Energy Security and Hydrocarbon Trade
Recognizing the critical role of energy security, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the India-U.S. Energy Security Partnership. The U.S. pledged support for India’s strategic petroleum reserve expansion and enhanced energy trade, including increased hydrocarbon exports to India.
The leaders also committed to implementing the India-U.S. 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, enabling joint nuclear reactor development. U.S.-designed nuclear reactors will be deployed in India, with technology transfer and local manufacturing to support the initiative.
Strategic Takeaways
This bilateral meeting marks a significant step toward strengthening India-U.S. cooperation across defense, trade, and energy sectors. The long-term framework for defense collaboration, expanding trade opportunities, and enhanced energy ties reflects a deepening strategic alliance between the two nations. The agreements made during this visit are expected to drive economic growth, technological collaboration, and regional security stability in the Indo-Pacific.
