Indian Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to the US: Talks with Trump on Energy, Trade, and Terrorism

Washington:Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States for a two-day visit, accompanied by a seven-member delegation. During his visit, Modi met with key figures, including US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, to discuss various issues, including energy, trade, and counterterrorism efforts.

In a significant development, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would supply oil and gas to India, emphasizing the close ties between the two nations. The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism together.

In a joint press conference after their meeting at the White House, President Trump expressed his pleasure at meeting with Prime Minister Modi. He revealed that the US has abundant oil and gas reserves that could be supplied to India, and discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. Trump highlighted that the trade deficit with India is around $100 million and stressed that both countries are working together in several sectors, including energy, electricity, and artificial intelligence.

Trump also mentioned the 2008 Mumbai attacks and vowed to work with India to counter extremist terrorism. He offered to extradite Pakistani-Canadian terrorist Tahawwur Rana, who is allegedly linked to the Mumbai attacks, to India. Furthermore, the US President confirmed that the US would provide military equipment, including F-35 fighter jets, worth billions of dollars to India.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s leadership and congratulated him on his re-election. He recalled the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad and emphasized that the relationship between the two nations would continue to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. Modi also noted that the enthusiasm seen during Trump’s first term remains strong, and that the US-India relationship is essential for mutual prosperity.

The Indian Prime Minister also highlighted discussions with Trump regarding doubling the volume of bilateral trade and expanding cooperation in nuclear energy. He invited American universities to open campuses in India and extended an invitation to Trump to visit India. Modi also expressed his commitment to strengthening defense cooperation with the US, particularly in areas such as AI and semiconductor technology. Additionally, both countries pledged to work together to ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific region and combat cross-border terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s position on global conflicts, stating that peace and dialogue are the key to resolving issues, not war. He mentioned that he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that now is the time for peace, not war.

In a separate meeting, Modi and Elon Musk discussed the launch of Starlink internet services in South Asia, marking an important development in technology cooperation between the two countries.

This visit marks a significant moment in US-India relations, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to expanding collaboration across various sectors.