Description: Indian Prime – Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Donald Trump in the White House where they discussed the intensifying of strategic cooperation in the sectors of defense, trade and the imposition of tariffs. The trade discussions were followed by pledges on increased exports and pragmatically resolving the trade deficit between the countries. Defensively, the countries have promised to cooperate in the ever-sensitive Indo – Pacific region, and the US has promised on increased military equipment exports to India where the idea of procuring F -35 stealth fighters was floated. Trump and Modi also discussed the existing migration problems between the countries with Modi pledging to receive all Indians deported from the US who were there illegally.
Impact: The bolstering of the US – India relationship would enable the US to further intensify its presence in the Indo – Pacific region, with Trump also strengthening trade deficits with one of the largest production economies in the world. The migration issue has been in large not discussed, with India’s Modi extending an olive branch initially by accepting all illegal Indian aliens in the US. The extension of defensive cooperation would provide deterrent reassurances to India and regional defensive support in the ever – revolving South Asia geopolitical theater while the US would largely enjoy Indian support in countering Chinese efforts in the disputed South China Sea. The meeting can be considered as finding the India – US strategic bearing within Trump’s first trimester as President.