US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his willingness to sell advanced fighter jets to India, as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to enhance trade ties, reigniting a relationship that stands strong despite the current US administration’s harsh stance toward many countries.
Modi, who is only the fourth global leader to meet with Trump since his return to office, referred to the fellow nationalist as a friend and remarked that he was embracing a version of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. Trump expressed that he felt a “special bond” with Modi and India, and in an unusual, albeit ironic moment of humility, praised Modi as a “much tougher negotiator” than himself.
Various US administrations have regarded India as an essential ally with aligned interests amid a growing China, and Trump declared that the new administration was prepared to offer one of the foremost US military assets — F-35s.
“Beginning this year, we will enhance military sales to India by several billion dollars,” Trump stated during a joint news conference with Modi.
“We’re also laying the groundwork to eventually supply India with the F-35 stealth fighters,” Trump mentioned.
India would become part of an exclusive group of nations that includes NATO allies, Japan, and Israel, which would have the privilege to purchase the F-35, an aircraft capable of flying at supersonic speeds while remaining undetectable. Currently, India depends on an old fleet of Russian fighter jets along with a limited number of Rafale jets manufactured by France. Continuing the efforts initiated by his predecessor, Joe Biden, Trump mentioned that the two nations also aimed to invest in ports, railways, and undersea cables to “create one of the most significant trade routes in history,” extending from India to Israel and into Europe and beyond.
Trump has engaged in conflicts over economic matters with both allies and adversaries. Just hours before their meeting, Trump declared reciprocal tariffs on all nations, including India. Standing alongside Modi, Trump referred to India’s “unfair, very strong tariffs” as a “significant issue” but mentioned that the two nations would enter negotiations to address the trade deficit favoring India. Modi stated that the largest and fifth-largest economies in the world would collaborate on a “mutually beneficial trade agreement” to be finalized “very soon,” with a focus on oil and gas. Accompanying Trump in his meeting with Modi was Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, who is making a strong push as Trump’s right-hand man to reform the US bureaucracy.
Modi engaged in a personal meeting with Musk, leading to speculation about whether their encounter was for official business or personal reasons. The Indian Prime Minister shared images of their handshake, featuring a smiling Musk alongside several children on his side and Indian officials on the opposite side. Prior to his trip, Modi made swift tariff reductions, with New Delhi lowering duties on premium motorcycles—benefiting Harley-Davidson, the renowned US company facing challenges in India that have frustrated Trump. Last week, India accepted a military flight from the US carrying 100 detained migrants as part of Trump’s immigration enforcement measures.
