Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump’s White House meeting on Thursday sparked global media attention, with major outlets dissecting their discussions on trade, defence, and strategic ties. The meeting, marked by a mix of serious negotiations and lighthearted exchanges, saw Trump acknowledge Modi as a “much better negotiator” and Modi playfully adapt Trump’s famous slogan, vowing to “Make India Great Again.”
Trade and Tariffs: A Path to $500 Billion?
Reuters highlighted the ambitious target set by Modi and Trump to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, with key sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and strategic minerals in focus. However, Associated Press reported Trump’s dissatisfaction with India’s import duties, terming them “very unfair” and reiterating his call for reciprocal tariffs.
Defence and Strategic Ties
The Financial Times reported that the US is considering selling F-35 fighter jets to India under a 10-year defence cooperation plan. The publication noted that strengthening Indo-US military ties aligns with Washington’s larger strategy to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Immigration and Human Rights: A Silent Diplomatic Move?
Reuters noted that Modi assured Trump that India is willing to take back its nationals living illegally in the US and proposed joint efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks. However, both leaders avoided addressing sensitive issues such as minority rights, drawing criticism from human rights advocates.
India’s Energy Purchases: A Trade Balance Move?
Bloomberg reported that India aims to increase oil and gas imports from the US, potentially reaching $25 billion in purchases to help reduce trade imbalances. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that India had already spent $15 billion on US energy imports and expects the figure to grow significantly.
Symbolic or Substantial? Global Reactions
The BBC described the meeting as largely symbolic, with limited progress on key trade disputes. Speaking to BBC, trade expert Abhijit Das argued that India should challenge Trump’s tariff logic by highlighting the US’s own agricultural subsidies, which act as a barrier for Indian exports.
Reuters and CNN both noted that Trump’s tariff policies could have broader implications, potentially hitting developing economies like India, Brazil, and Vietnam the hardest. Citing World Bank data, CNN reported that while the US’s average tariff rate on Indian imports was 3% in 2022, India imposed a 9.5% tariff on US goods.
Meanwhile, Fox News took a more positive tone, emphasizing Trump’s remarks on the “special bond” between the two nations, with Trump declaring that the US and India are “tied together in friendship.”
While the meeting didn’t resolve all trade tensions, world media largely viewed it as a strategic effort to strengthen Indo-US ties amid global geopolitical shifts.
