Modi-Trump Mega Partnership: $500 Bn Trade Deal, F35 Jets To Tariffs, Highlights From When MAGA Met MIGA

President Donald Trump called India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'tougher negotiator' as the two leaders met at the White House in Washington, D.C. This will be PM Modi's first visit in Trump's second inning to power. On February 13, the two world leaders welcomed each other with warm hugs and praises for each other. Tariffs, trade deficit, supply of military equipment, investment strategy and illegal immigrants were key points of the gamut of India-US revamped ties.

Referring to PM Modi, Trump said, "He is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest."

He further added, "India did not have a good relationship with the Biden administration. They wouldn't sell them oil and gas which is hard to believe... We want to make it good for India. That kind of relationship is important to us."

During the joint press conference, Trump revealed that he shares a special bond with Modi. While PM Modi appreciated how Trump always kept his country first. Modi added, "I do the same, and that is something we have in common."

Modi added, he and Trump share a great friendship, and will continue to build on ties between the two nations.

In the conference, Modi said, "Americans are familiar with President Trump's motto, Make America Great Again, or "MAGA." The people of India are also moving towards development at a fast pace with the determination of "Viksit Bharat 2047" on the track of heritage and development."

'If I say in the language of America, developed India means Make India Great Again, i.e. "MIGA". When the United States and India work together, i.e. "MAGA" plus "MIGA", the "MEGA" Partnership for prosperity is formed. And this mega spirit gives new scale and scope to our goals," Modi added.

Furthermore, Modi said, "Our talks will add significant momentum to the India-USA friendship!"

While acknowledging the importance of relations with India, Trump did not shy away from pointing out India as among the highest tariff nations to the US.

When talking about trade, Trump said, "India's been, to us, just about the highest tariff nation anywhere in the world... It's very hard to sell in India. We're going to have the same. Whatever India is charging us, we're charging them."

Here are some of the key pointers discussed between PM Modi and Trump:

- The India-US partnership has set a target of more than doubling bilateral trade to 500 billion dollars by 2030.

Modi said, " Our teams will work on an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement."

- Also, Modi said, "We will strengthen the oil and gas trade to ensure India's energy security. Investment in energy infrastructure will also increase."

In the nuclear energy sector, Modi and Trump talked about increasing cooperation on Small Modular Reactors.

- The Defence Cooperation Framework will be created for the next decade. Defence inter-operability, logistics, repair and maintenance will also be its main parts.

- US will increase military sales to India by billions of dollars, including sale of F35 fighter jets.

Related to defence, Modi said, "America has an important role in India's defense preparedness. As strategic and trusted partners, we are actively moving in the direction of joint development, joint production and transfer of technology," adding, "In the coming time, new technology and equipment will increase our capability. We have decided to launch the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance."

- India and the United States will work together in Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Quantum, Biotechnology, and other technologies.

On strengthening technology ties, Modi said, "Today we have agreed on TRUST, i.e. Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology. Under this, emphasis will be laid on creating strong supply chains of critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals. It has also been decided to launch a recovery and processing initiative for strategic minerals like lithium and rare earth."

"We have had close cooperation with the US in the field of space. The "NISAR" satellite, built in collaboration with "ISRO" and "NASA", will soon fly into space on the Indian launch vehicle," he added.

Furthermore, Modi said, "India and the United States have stood firmly together in the fight against terrorism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to eradicate cross-border terrorism."

Modi also said, "I am thankful to the President that he has decided to hand over the culprit who committed the killings in India in 2008, to India now. Indian courts will now take appropriate action."

On February 13, as per the White House statement, "Today, President Donald J. Trump unveiled a plan for fair, free, reciprocal trade as he makes clear to the world that the United States will no longer tolerate being ripped off. The U.S. has one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to U.S. exports - and reciprocal trade will finally correct that imbalance."