Trump offers F35 fighter jets and asks Modi to reduce tariffs on US cars

“There is only person in the world has the copyright over the word ‘deal’, and that is Donald Trump,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after bilateral talks with the US President. In response, Trump described Modi as “a much tougher negotiator, and a much better negotiator,” than him.The following are the highlights of the agreements listed the two leaders.

US will increase military sales to India by billions of dollars including sale of F35 fighter jets. A new defence cooperation framework, including joint production, transfer of technology, interoperability, logistics, and maintenance, for the next decade will be signed.

India-US trade will be doubled to over $500 billion by 2030 and the trade deficit in India’s favour will be reduced.The two governments will work on striking an early trade deal. The two countries will resolve ‘long running disparities’ in the trade partnership. “India imposes up to 70% tariffs on US cars and that makes it impossible to sell them in India,” Trump added. The move may benefit a company like Tesla, at the risk of higher competition for Indian companies like Mahindra and Mahindra and Tata Motors.

US and India joining forces to develop artificial intelligence technologies. A new Autonomous Industry Systems alliance will be forged.

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, popularly called NISAR, will soon take off for the international space station. NISAR has been jointly developed by the state-backed space research organisations to map Earth’s surface and observe changes in the planet’s climate.The two countries will focus on recovery and processing of lithium and rare earth minerals.

The two countries will spend more on India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, which was launched in June 2022 as a counter to China’s belt and road initiative.

The two countries will increase cooperation under the I2U2 framework. The I2U2 is a strategic partnership between India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the US. The group’s goal is to work together on economic development, scientific innovation, and regional stability.

India will new open new consulates in Boston (Massachusetts) and Los Angeles (California).

US has approved extradition of Tahawur Rana the 26/11 accused to India.

US wants to become India’s biggest supplier for nuclear technology.

US universities will be invited to set up campuses in India.