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Modi Meets US Vice President JD Vance to Accelerate Trade Deal, Defense Ties Amid Global Tensions
New Delhi, April 14, 2025 – In a strategic move to deepen ties between two of the world’s largest democracies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a closed-door meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi. The high-profile visit comes amid global uncertainty driven by the ongoing US-China trade war and heightened interest in a mutually beneficial India-US trade agreement.
The meeting was followed by delegation-level talks, reflecting the urgency to finalize a comprehensive trade deal. Currently, a 90-day pause on additional US tariffs imposed on Indian goods by President Donald Trump has opened a window of opportunity to cement this agreement, which leaders from both nations are hoping to finalize by July.
In an official statement, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress in trade negotiations and reaffirmed the strategic partnership that binds India and the United States. India emphasized that it would not rush into any deal unless its core interests are safeguarded.
According to a Bloomberg report, sector-specific discussions are scheduled to take place throughout the week, with an internal goal to conclude the deal by the end of May. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to engage with senior US officials during her upcoming trip to Washington for the IMF meetings, aiming to finalize key aspects of the agreement.
📈 US Investments Surge in Indian Market
Beyond trade, India is actively seeking expanded US investments in vital sectors including technology, energy, automotive, and manufacturing. The potential for collaboration was recently highlighted when tech mogul Elon Musk held a phone call with PM Modi, expressing interest in bringing Tesla, Starlink, and SpaceX to the Indian market.
In a major breakthrough, India and the US also advanced their civil-nuclear cooperation. The US Department of Energy recently approved Holtec International, a US-based company led by Indian-American Krishna P. Singh, to co-develop nuclear power plants in India. Holtec’s Indian subsidiary, based in Pune and Gujarat, will play a key role in this endeavor.
Furthermore, US tech companies are eyeing India as an alternative manufacturing hub for laptops, mobiles, and tablets, seeking to reduce reliance on China amid global supply chain realignments.
🛡️ Defense and Strategic Tech on the Table
The discussions between PM Modi and VP Vance also covered cooperation in defense and strategic technologies, including the energy sector. Although the specifics of defense discussions weren’t disclosed, past proposals have included US offers of F-35 stealth fighter jets and advanced missile and underwater systems.
The US has designated India as a Major Defence Partner under Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1), granting it access to high-end American defense technologies at par with NATO allies.
Recalling his visit to Washington DC in January, Prime Minister Modi said his dialogue with President Trump laid the groundwork for stronger cooperation across key sectors, merging the visions of “Make America Great Again” and “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
This visit by JD Vance signals Washington’s continued commitment to nurturing this vital global alliance, one that stands at the forefront of democratic, economic, and security cooperation.
