Defence, energy, trade: Here are the key highlights you need to know about PM Modi-Donald Trump meet

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting at the White House on Friday, February 14. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Trump became the president for the second time on January 20. The two leaders hoped for stronger ties and trade deals.

After holding wide-ranging talks with Modi, Trump said there is a "special bond" between the world's oldest and largest democracies, and both sides decided to shore up cooperation in diverse areas such as energy, critical technologies, and connectivity.

Amid fears of reciprocal tariffs from the US, Trump outlined energy trade as the biggest issue between the two countries.

Modi kicked off his two-day visit to Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning India time) after concluding his trip to France.

1. F-35 fighter jets

The US government will be providing F-35 fighter jets to India starting in 2025 as part of increasing military supplies by billions of dollars.

"Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with F-35 stealth fighters," Trump said at a joint press conference with Modi.

2. India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war

The Prime Minister and the President also answered questions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"I support Donald Trump's efforts towards finding a possible solution to end the war. The world somehow feels India has been neutral during the war. But I would like to reiterate that India has not been neutral. In fact, India has been on the side of peace," Modi said.

"When I met President Putin, I had even said that 'this is not the era for war'. I had also said that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield. They can only come when all parties sit at the table for dialogue," he added.

3. Strengthening energy deals

US President Trump highlighted India’s increased purchase of US oil and gas, reinforcing strategic energy ties. Trump said he and PM Modi have reached an agreement on energy that will make the US a leading supplier of oil and gas to India.

4. Defence ties

Trump said that India is reforming its laws to welcome US nuclear technologies into the Indian market. In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi said cooperation between India and the US can shape a better world.

The Trump administration is particularly keen on expanding Washington's defence sales to India, and the two sides may broadly finalise a couple of deals, including co-production of Stryker armoured fighting vehicles in India.

A defence cooperation framework will be prepared for the next decade, Modi said.

5. Extradition of 26/11 mastermind

US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian probe agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India.".

Speaking at a joint press meet along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a US visit, President Donald Trump said, "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."

6. Trade deals

US President Donald Trump announced plans to firm up "some wonderful trade deals" for India and the US.

"We are going to work with India also. We have separate big trade deals to announce in the very near future," Trump said while talking about his administration's trade policy. "We are going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and for the US," he said, replying to a question.

Besides defence, trade is another high-priority area in the deliberations between the two leaders. The reciprocal tariff policy is expected to have some impact on India's trade with the US also.

The bilateral trade between India and the US was around $130 billion last year.

7. Immigration and deportation of Indian citizens

Addressing the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants, with more expected, PM Modi stated that the Indian government is ready to take back “verified illegals” but stressed the need to combat human trafficking networks.