Trade, defense, and migration on the agenda as the top leaders meet on February 13. The US President is also likely to host a dinner for the Indian PM.
New Delhi: In a bid to take the India-US relationship to a new level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to meet President Donald Trump, along with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. PM Modi will travel to the US for a bilateral visit after attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in Paris on February 11-12.
PM Modi's upcoming meeting with Trump will highlight expanding energy partnerships, including increased oil imports from the US and collaboration on small modular reactors in India. Discussions will focus on defense industry collaboration, especially GE engines, and advancements in civil nuclear energy. A team from India is set to finalize the GE-414 engine deal.
Before the high-profile visit, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over the phone, congratulating him on his confirmation and discussing ways to deepen further the India-US bilateral defense partnership.
"We also agreed to chart out an ambitious agenda which includes operational, intelligence, logistics, and defense-industrial cooperation. Looking forward to work closely with Secretary Hegseth," the Defense Minister posted on X.
Launching several new initiatives, India and the United States have deepened defense collaboration over the last 10 years while solidifying India-US strategic partnership which is founded on shared values, including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system. Several new steps in India-US strategic technology and defense cooperation are expected to be announced next week.
The US President has already promised to strengthen the "great partnership" with India and PM Modi, continuing the close ties he forged in his first term.
PM Modi is also likely to meet Musk. The world’s richest man is reported to be part of a select group of CEOs who will meet PM Modi on February 13.
As the chief of the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is likely to advocate for a level playing field for his electric cars. He may also seek early regulatory approval to begin operations for affordable satellite internet service Starlink in the country, along with boosting collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
