Washington ( BW): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting to advance strategic cooperation across multiple sectors. Addressing the media, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri detailed the key outcomes of the discussions, which included new trade agreements, defence collaborations, and technology-driven partnerships.
One of the most notable announcements was the launch of Mission-500, an initiative aimed at more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Both leaders committed to an integrated approach for enhancing trade across goods and services while encouraging greenfield investments in high-value industries in each other’s countries. As part of this strategy, the two nations will begin negotiations for a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025.
Defense cooperation took center stage, with the announcement of a new ten-year framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership, set to run from 2025 to 2035. The two countries will advance ongoing defence procurement negotiations involving land and air systems, along with co-production agreements.
Additionally, discussions will commence on a reciprocal defence procurement agreement, and the US has pledged to review its arms transfer regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, to facilitate streamlined defense trade, technology exchange, and maintenance support for US-provided defense systems in India.
A major technological initiative, the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance, has been launched to scale up partnerships in autonomous systems production. This collaboration is expected to drive innovations in defence technology, particularly in underwater domain awareness. Further, the two nations unveiled the TRUST initiative, designed to enhance cooperation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy, and space. To strengthen defense applications, space research, and technological innovation, an innovation bridge will be established.
Beyond trade and defence, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding higher education ties. Acknowledging the contributions of 3,00,000 Indian students in the US, they agreed to facilitate greater collaboration between universities and invited US institutions to establish campuses in India. Steps will also be taken to streamline legal pathways for students and professionals while strengthening efforts to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking.
Security cooperation was another major focus, with both nations committing to decisive actions against elements threatening public safety, diplomatic security, and national sovereignty. Law enforcement efforts will be strengthened in response to recent events that underlined the need for heightened vigilance.
