India, US eye trade deal by Oct as Trump vows reciprocal tariffs in talks with Modi

Amid fears of an impending tariff war, India and the US have agreed to negotiate a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by September-October this year as they announced “Mission 500”, which aims to more than double the bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

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Editorial: Trade, terror & tariffs

The two sides have further announced a framework to strengthen military ties by ramping up sales to India and re-committed to the US-India Energy Security Partnership, including in oil, gas and civil nuclear energy.

Individual issues never discussed by world leaders: PM on Adani case

PM Modi said he didn’t discuss with President Trump the bribery charges levelled by the US against business tycoon Gautam Adani. Asked if he took up the issue of Adani’s indictment, the PM said “two prominent leaders of two countries never discuss such individual issues.”

No ‘deep state’ role in Bangladesh, let PM Modi handle matter: Trump

Trump denied role of US “deep state’ in last year’s political tumult in Bangladesh. Replying to a query, he said: “There was no role for our deep state.” The US President made it clear the matter would be handled by PM Modi, saying, “But I will leave Bangladesh to the PM.”

This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting in Washington DC. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking at a media briefing after the meeting, said “both countries have agreed to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by fall (Sept-Oct) of 2025”. The meeting took place hours after Trump its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters and undersea systems to India, the statement said.

Fifth-generation jet F-35 was showcased at Aero India in Bengaluru. Modi and Trump also announced plans to sign this year a 10-year framework for US-India major defence partnership in the 21st century. The US will expand defence sales and co-production with India. It will include co-production arrangements for “Javelin” anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles in India to meet the country’s requirements. India is also looking at procuring six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Navy. The two countries also announced a new initiative — the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance — to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific countries. The militaries of the two sides will work at enhanced logistics and intelligence sharing, as well as arrangements to improve force mobility for joint humanitarian and disaster-relief operations.

On other technologies, the two sides announced the launch of the US-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative, which will catalyse government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas such as defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space, while encouraging the use of verified technology vendors and ensuring that sensitive technologies are protected. The TRUST initiative is aimed at having trusted and resilient supply chains, including in the fields semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.