India and the United States are set to sign a new defence framework during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, a senior White House official told news agency ANI on Thursday. The agreement aims to strengthen the partnership between the two nations, particularly in defence, trade, and energy cooperation.
The official stated that discussions between Modi and US President Donald Trump would build on the achievements of the previous administration. The focus will be on bolstering defence sales to India, ensuring the prioritisation of American technology, and increasing energy exports to India as a key market for US natural resources. The talks will also address trade imbalances, with discussions on new procurements to help reduce the US trade deficit with India.
The official highlighted that India was the first major US defence partner and anticipated that the new framework would enhance this relationship. Ongoing talks regarding new procurements were described as progressing positively, contributing to the broader economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day visit, is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Trump and meet key figures, including US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Ahead of the meeting, the White House official noted that India’s early signals on trade had been positively received by the Trump administration, with expectations of momentum towards a “solidified fair” bilateral trade deal by 2025.
Technology collaboration is another key area of focus, with discussions on semiconductors, critical minerals, and supply chain resilience. The official confirmed that announcements on these fronts would be made, reinforcing India-US cooperation on emerging technologies.
On the geopolitical front, the US sees India as a critical player in the Indo-Pacific strategy and regional stability, including its potential role in facilitating peace in Europe. The official stated that President Trump would welcome discussions with Modi on diplomatic efforts concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The official also acknowledged the strong personal rapport between Modi and Trump, noting their previous public engagements and mutual goodwill.
India’s hosting of the Quad leaders’ summit later this year was also discussed, with the White House official describing the bilateral ties between India and the US as the strongest among the Quad members. Further, the US anticipates deepening its defence partnership with India through joint exercises and strategic regional cooperation, including projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Regarding China, the official reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with India, particularly concerning border security issues. The US-India relationship, described as one of the most significant bilateral partnerships of the 21st century, remains a priority for President Trump’s administration.
Upon his arrival in Washington, PM Modi expressed optimism about his discussions with President Trump and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. In a departure statement, he emphasised the importance of building on previous collaborations and expanding cooperation in defence, trade, technology, energy, and supply chains for mutual benefit. This visit marks Modi’s first trip to the US since Trump’s re-election, setting the stage for deeper strategic alignment between the two nations.
