Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a significant bilateral meeting at the White House, reinforcing the growing defence cooperation between India and the United States. In their first meeting since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the two leaders committed to advancing strategic ties and military collaboration.

President Trump announced plans to increase military sales to India, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets, a key asset in US defence technology. “Starting this year, we’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars,” Trump stated.

PM Modi emphasized the US’s crucial role in India’s defence preparedness and highlighted efforts toward joint development, production, and technology transfer. He noted that enhanced cooperation would strengthen India’s military capabilities in the coming years.

The leaders unveiled the US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) initiative and announced a new ten-year framework for defence collaboration. Discussions included integrating US-origin defence equipment such as the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon, MH-60R Seahawks, and AH-64E Apache helicopters into India’s military fleet.

They also outlined plans to co-produce Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India. Additionally, both nations agreed to streamline arms transfer regulations and negotiate a Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) agreement to enhance trade and technology exchange.

A key outcome was the launch of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to foster industrial partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reflecting on the partnership, PM Modi remarked, “In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat—which in the American context translates to MIGA. Together, India and the US have a MEGA partnership for prosperity.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a significant bilateral meeting at the White House, reinforcing the growing defence cooperation between India and the United States. In their first meeting since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the two leaders committed to advancing strategic ties and military collaboration.

President Trump announced plans to increase military sales to India, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets, a key asset in US defence technology. “Starting this year, we’ll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars,” Trump stated.

PM Modi emphasized the US’s crucial role in India’s defence preparedness and highlighted efforts toward joint development, production, and technology transfer. He noted that enhanced cooperation would strengthen India’s military capabilities in the coming years.

The leaders unveiled the US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) initiative and announced a new ten-year framework for defence collaboration. Discussions included integrating US-origin defence equipment such as the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon, MH-60R Seahawks, and AH-64E Apache helicopters into India’s military fleet.

They also outlined plans to co-produce Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles in India. Additionally, both nations agreed to streamline arms transfer regulations and negotiate a Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) agreement to enhance trade and technology exchange.

A key outcome was the launch of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to foster industrial partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reflecting on the partnership, PM Modi remarked, “In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat—which in the American context translates to MIGA. Together, India and the US have a MEGA partnership for prosperity.”