As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat drive, we will welcome more deals for joint production in India, with transfer of technology in a given time frame.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s just concluded two-day visit to Washington, DC can be summed up in two simple words: highly successful. Ashley Tellis of Carnegie Endowment termed it as “magnificently successful: Modi makes magic”. Lisa Curtis of CNAS also felt it was successful.
Yes, the much feared and much talked about issues—tariffs and deportation of illegal immigrants—were discussed openly and candidly, but didn’t derail the broader, multidimensional strategic partnership. President Donald Trump, with PM Modi on his right, bluntly and unambiguously pointed out that India tops the pack of countries which impose high tariffs and gave the example of his favourite Harley Davidson motorbike, but said so in a measured tone with a poker face, adding maybe that is how they do business. Then he unveiled his idea of reciprocal tariffs, which he believed, were very fair as a country which imposes tariffs should be prepared to expect counter tariffs to the same extent. While lowering tariffs on US medical devices, agricultural and dairy product might be tough, this approach offers scope for two sides to make lists of products they trade in and rationalise their respective tariff regime; in a way, India gets time to bring down her tariffs further. Speeding up bilateral discussions on a mutually acceptable BTA, which will address all trade related issues including tariffs comprehensively and holistically is desirable, its conclusion by 2 April is unlikely; new US TR is yet to be confirmed.
While addressing the issue of illegal immigrants, PM Modi reiterated India’s known position that she will accept all those who are Indians as per documents. However, he also flagged the sinister network of human traffickers who lure gullible poor individuals who have paid them sacrificing their meagre belongings of dream jobs abroad but wash their hands once they push them in the US illegally. PM Modi stressed that these poor people were themselves victims of the human traffickers and sought Trump’s cooperation in rooting out this eco system.
Nothing pleases Trump, the businessman billionaire turned President more than more imports from USA which will wipe out the trade imbalance or, at least, bring it down drastically. As mentioned by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at the press briefing, India bought oil and gas from the US last year worth US$15 billion and such energy imports from the US may go up to US$25 billion in the near future.
Defence cooperation with the US has led to burgeoning exports from USA touching a figure of US$25 billion in the last few years. The agreement which accorded India the status of a Major Defence Partner will be extended for another ten years. As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat drive, we will welcome more deals for joint production in India, with transfer of technology in a given time frame. The US is keen to sell the F-35 stealth fighter plane, which was recently showcased in Bengaluru and is arguably the best in the business, but very expensive; the Indian Air Force hasn’t even studied the idea. If the deal does materialise, India will be the fifth country to use it after NATO, Japan, South Korea and Israel.
While the Indian side persuasively explained India’s position on the issues of trade and tariffs, more energy and defence imports and deportation of illegal immigrants, PM Modi underlined the strategic significance of India-US relations by explaining that when the US, the oldest democracy and India the largest, join hands it isn’t a case of 1+1=2, but it’s 1&1=11; it contributes to global peace.
Taking forward the current cooperation in the field of critical and emerging technologies, the two leaders launched the US-India Trust Initiative, where Trust stood for Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology. This initiative “will catalyse collaboration among governments, academia and private sector to drive innovation in defence, artificial intelligence semiconductors, quantum computing. biotechnology, energy and space.”
The Indus Innovation launched by the two leaders is “meant to focus on space, on energy and other emerging technologies.”
Another India-US Cooperative programme aims at recovering and processing critical and strategic minerals.
Expanding areas of cooperation in nonfuel energy sector, the two countries have agreed to reenergise cooperation in the area of civil nuclear energy by exploring the possibility of building US designed nuclear reactors in India with transfer of technology. They are also discussing possible collaboration in small and modular reactors.
Beyond the bilateral, the two countries discussed Indo-Pacific and the Quad; PM Modi extended invitation to President Trump to attend the next Quad summit, which will be hosted in India later this year. The two leaders agreed to convene, within the next six months, the partners of the IMEC and I2U2 initiatives. They also launched the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, a “bilateral forum to advance coordinated investment in connectivity and commerce in the region.”
But arguably the most awaited outcome for India was the decision of the US government to extradite Tahawwur Rana, one of the masterminds of 26 November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. India had been pressing for his extradition for the last 15 years. This decision will further boost bilateral efforts to fight terror.
The warmth and bonhomie which the two leaders had developed during Trump1.0 was on full display in the Oval Office. When PM Modi embraced Trump, the latter loudly said “we missed you very much.” Trump gave a smile from ear to ear when Modi told him that his goal, “Make America Great Again” inspires everyone. He added that India was pursuing her own path of making India great again by transforming her into a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047.
In response to a question of a journalist Trump mentioned with a friendly smile that PM Modi was a far better negotiator than him; in fact, there was no contest.
Talking about the Ukrainian conflict, Modi mentioned that he had visited both Russia and Ukraine, and has been in touch with both leaders. He reminded that he had told President Putin in his face that this wasn’t the era of war and the solution of the conflict couldn’t be found on the battlefield but on the negotiating table. He applauded Trump’s efforts to end the Ukrainian conflict: “I welcome your initiative; I support it and hope it will succeed in ending the conflict.”
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the discussions at the White House lasted for over four hours, comprising discussions in a restricted format, in the press conference, and an extended discussion over dinner with larger delegations.
The optics of the call on PM Modi by Elon Musk, the richest person in the world and President Trump’s Chief Disruptor with DOGE under his watch, with his children had set a positive tone for the discussions that followed at the White House.
The discussions which covered “the entire gamut of the relationship ranging from strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade and economic engagement, technology, energy security and people to people linkages as well as regional and global issues” took place within three weeks of the inauguration of Trump’s second term. It reflected the priority and importance which the two leaders attach to India-US relationship.
* Surendra Kumar is a retired Indian ambassador.