Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest visit to Washington was brief but eventful and represented a key diplomatic engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump. This visit cemented Indo-U.S. relations further with an emphasis on trade, defense, and technology, avoiding sensitive issues.
Major Announcements and Agreements
Trade and Economic Cooperation
- Mission 500
- Target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Discussions have begun, first draft of phase one is expected this year.
- Increase in Indian Purchases
- Purchases of U.S. energy, oil, and defense equipment helped reduce the $45.7 billion trade deficit.
Defense and Strategic Partnership
- COMPACT Framework
- Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology, a new program to make cooperation easier in key areas.
- Indo Pacific & Quad
- Pledge to regional security, Mr. Trump would be coming to Delhi for Quad Summit.
Technology and Innovation
- TRUST Initiative
- Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology, instead of the acronym iCET.
- The emphasis would be on semiconductors, quantum computing, AI, and there is a guarantee to develop an AI infrastructure roadmap in the course of this year.
- Extradition of Tahawwur Rana
- Mr. Trump has sanctioned the extradition of the 26/11 attacks suspect, Tahawwur Rana, to India for trial.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Economic and Trade Frictions
- Trump’s transactional style
- The more he speaks about balancing trade policies, the more it would create counter tariffs and taxes from India.
- Negotiation uncertainty
- Though FTA negotiations have commenced, there remains no clarity regarding whether tariff cuts or exemptions would be sought.
Immigration and Deportation Issues
- No perceptible shifts in the U.S. position on deportation of illegal immigrants.
- Militarized flights could be against humanitarian values in deportation.
Long Term Impact on India U.S. Relations
- Positive optics and bonhomie could mean tighter relations in the next four years.
- The relationship, however, seems more transactional, similar to the first term of Mr. Trump.
PM Modi’s visit strengthened strategic and economic relations between India and the United States, opening the way for greater involvement in trade, defense, and technology.
