On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral conversations and launched several initiatives to enhance relations between both countries.

The discussions took place at the White House shortly after Trump criticised India's business policies and proposed reciprocal tariffs on nations that impose duties on US imports.

During a press conference, Trump stated that India intends to boost its procurement of U.S. defence equipment, including fighter jets, and is also considering making the US its primary supplier of oil and gas.

Prime Minister Modi stated that India will double its trade with the US by 2030. He shared on X that his meeting with Trump at the White House was "excellent" and helped strengthen their ties.

Before beginning their important discussions, the two leaders gave brief statements to the media and responded to several questions. While announcing the new tariff policy, the President also said India is “right at the top of the pack" regarding tariffs.

The discussions centred on expanding the bilateral partnership, focusing on defence, energy, and critical technology.

Below are the main highlights from the Modi-Trump meeting-

During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Donald Trump stated that he intended to finalise "some wonderful trade deals" benefiting both India and the U.S.

While discussing the administration’s trade policy, Trump said, “We are going to work with India also. We have separate big trade deals to announce in the very near future. We are going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and for the US.”

Modi praised Trump on his presidential re-election and reflected on strengthening India-U.S. ties during Trump's first term in office.

“I firmly believe that in your second term, we will work with more speed. President Trump always keeps the national interest of the US supreme and like him, I also keep the national interest of India at the top of everything else," PM Modi remarked.

The US President answered back, “We have some very big things to talk about; they (India) are going to be purchasing a lot of our oil and gas (from the US). We have more oil and gas than any other country in the world, and they (India) need it, and we have it." “He is doing a great job in India, and he (PM Modi) and I share a great friendship, and we will continue to build on ties between our nations," Trump further answered.

Prime Minister Modi clarified that India's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not one of neutrality but a commitment to peace. He highlighted his meetings with leaders from both countries and referenced his statement made in the presence of President Putin, saying, "this is not an era of war."

As per PM Modi, “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 ". 

“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 said.

Trump stated that the U.S. plans to expand its military sales to India by billions of dollars and that his administration is working towards supplying India with F-35 Stealth fighters.

In a joint press conference with PM Modi after bilateral talks, Trump said, “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 the F35 Stealth fighters."

Earlier this month, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most extensively used fifth-generation fighter jet, participated in the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. The aircraft features advanced stealth, exceptional situational awareness and networked combat capabilities.

Trump confirmed that Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, would be extradited to India to face justice.

Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani descent, is being held at a detention centre in Los Angeles. He has strong ties to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist who played a key role in the attacks. Trump described Rana as “very evil” and stressed the need to ensure he faces justice in India.

Trump stated, “I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters (Tahawwur Rana) and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack to face justice in India. He is going back to India to face justice." 

“India and America have been together in the fight against terrorism. We agree that solid action must be taken to eliminate terrorism that originates on the other side of the border. I am thankful to the President that he has decided to extradite a criminal to India who committed genocide in 2008 in India. The courts in India will take proper action." responded PM Modi.

Donald Trump spoke about specific groups, especially Khalistani separatists in the U.S., who are working against India’s interests. He said, “Well, I don’t think India had a very good relationship with the Biden administration. They wouldn’t sell them oil and gas, which is rather hard to believe because, you know, it’s a good thing to do. And a lot of things happened that, in my opinion, were not very appropriate between India and the Biden administration."

“But as you mentioned, we are extraditing a very violent man. It seems to me—though I don’t know if he’s been convicted yet or will be—but let’s assume he’s a pretty violent person. We’re sending him back to India immediately. And there are more to follow because we have quite a few requests. We work with India on crime, and we want to support India. That kind of relationship is very important to us," he said while referring to Tawahhur Rana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India is prepared to take back its citizens who are living illegally in the United States. He also highlighted the importance of dismantling the “ecosystem” of human trafficking. Additionally, PM Modi expressed confidence that President Donald Trump would fully support India in eliminating this issue.

PM Modi stated while responding to a question during the joint press conference with President Trump following their bilateral discussions, “Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the US are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India – if they live in the US illegally, India is ready to take them back."

“But it doesn’t stop just there for us. These are people from ordinary families. They are shown big dreams and most of them are such who are misled and brought here. So, we should attack this entire system of human trafficking." “Together, it should be the effort of the US and India to destroy such an ecosystem from its roots so that human trafficking ends. Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem," he further said.

PM Modi stated that both countries have set a goal of reaching USD 500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. He mentioned that teams from both nations will collaborate to finalise a trade agreement that benefits both sides. Modi also noted that while Americans are familiar with Trump’s slogan, MAGA, Indians are working towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Additionally, he emphasised that India and the US will enhance their oil and gas trade to support India’s energy security.

“The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA – Make America Great Again.’ The people of India, too, are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again – MIGA," PM Modi stated.

Trump stated that India and the U.S. have agreed to collaborate on developing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which he described as one of the greatest trade routes. He mentioned that the corridor would extend from Israel to Italy and continue to the U.S.

“We agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways and undersea cables, many undersea cables. It is a big development. It is a lot of money going to be spent, and we have already spent some, but we are going to be spending a lot more in order to stay advanced and stay the leader," as per Trump.

“I am pleased to report that with today’s announcements, the friendship between the US and India is the strongest I believe it has ever been. I think our relationship is the best it’s ever been between two leaders of two countries," he continued.

Donald Trump proposed mediating to resolve the border clashes between India and China, describing them as “quite violent.” He also hoped that both nations and the U.S. and Russia, longtime rivals, “can get along".

He responded to a question, “I look at India. I do see the skirmishes on the border, which are quite vicious, and I guess they continue to go on. If I could be of help, I’d love to help because that should be stopped. That’s been going on for a long time, and it’s quite violent. It’s quite violent. I would hope, "He continued speaking, “China and India and Russia and us and all of us can get along. It’s very important. You know, the power of weaponry today is and not only nuclear but nuclear in particular; the power of weaponry is very important."

In a press briefing, Modi stated, “Our teams will work on completing a trade agreement that will mutually benefit the two countries." 

“We will strengthen oil and gas trade to ensure India’s energy security. In the energy infrastructure, investment will increase. In the nuclear energy sector, we spoke about deepening our cooperation, in the direction of small modular reactors. America plays a key role in India’s defence preparedness," he continued. 

“As strategic and trusted partners, we are actively moving forward in the direction of joint development, joint production and transfer of technology. In the coming days, new technology and equipment will increase our capacity," the PM further said.

During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged PM Narendra Modi’s strong negotiation skills. When asked who the tougher negotiator was between them, Trump responded, “He (PM Narendra Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest." His remark highlighted Modi’s negotiating abilities and emphasised no competition between them.

After their meeting, President Donald Trump presented Prime Minister Modi with his book, Our Journey Together. The book includes several photos from the ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’ events, along with a picture of Trump taken during his 2020 visit to the Taj Mahal.