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PM Modi, Trump announce strategic initiatives, aim for $500 billion trade by 2030

PM Modi and President Trump’s meeting at the White House covered defence, trade, technology, and energy. Both leaders aim for a $500 billion trade target by 2030, alongside key defence initiatives.

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PM Modi and President Trump during their high-level meeting at the White House

In a pivotal meeting at the White House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed a range of issues that will shape the future of Indo-US relations, covering defence, trade, technology, and energy sectors. The high-level talks, which followed PM Modi’s visit to France, came just hours after President Trump’s announcement of new reciprocal tariffs affecting all US trading partners, including India.

Key highlights from the Modi-Trump talks:

Defence: strengthening military ties

A significant announcement from the meeting was the creation of a new 10-year framework for US-India defence cooperation. This framework will expand US platforms within the Indian defence services, including new deals for Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker armoured vehicles. Additionally, the US will deliver six more P8I maritime surveillance aircraft to India.

Another major development includes a review of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), aimed at easing technology transfers and spare part supplies between the two nations. Both countries also initiated talks for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement (RDP) agreement, which will streamline mutual defence purchases. A major breakthrough came with the US’s announcement of policy reviews for releasing fifth-generation fighter jets and underwater warfare systems to India.

The two nations also launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), focusing on collaboration in underwater domain awareness technologies. India will be the first country to co-develop these sensitive technologies with the US.

Trade: ‘Mission 500’ and bilateral trade expansion

On the economic front, both leaders set an ambitious goal of reaching $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 under the initiative “Mission 500”. Key trade agreements are set to be concluded by 2025, addressing issues like the controversial reciprocal tariffs. The discussion also highlighted Indian investments in the US worth over $7.3 billion, which have supported thousands of American jobs.

However, trade talks took place against the backdrop of President Trump’s 25% tariff on global steel and aluminium imports, which could have significant implications for Indian exports.

Technology: Advancing strategic partnerships

PM Modi and President Trump also unveiled the TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative, a collaboration designed to accelerate partnerships in critical and emerging technologies. A roadmap for US-India AI collaboration is expected by the end of the year, along with plans for next-generation data centres and AI processing collaborations.

Moreover, both countries are working on expanding Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing in the US, especially for essential medicines, and launching initiatives to recover rare earth minerals to support high-tech industries.

Energy: Strengthening strategic ties

The India-US Energy Security Partnership was reaffirmed, with commitments to support India’s full membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA) and to advance nuclear energy production through the India-US 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement. Plans for collaboration on small modular reactors are also in the pipeline, aiming to boost nuclear energy generation in India.

Counterterrorism and multilateral cooperation

The two leaders also discussed counterterrorism efforts, with both condemning Pakistan’s inaction against terrorist groups. A significant announcement came with the approval of the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key convict in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, to India. Furthermore, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Quad alliance (India, US, Japan, Australia) and laid the groundwork for the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC).

The meeting also included discussions on new initiatives for 2025 through the I2U2 Group and the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, which will focus on economic and security cooperation.

A new chapter in India-US relations

With an array of initiatives spanning defence, trade, technology, and energy, the meeting between PM Modi and President Trump is set to deepen bilateral ties and pave the way for greater cooperation in the years to come.

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Himanta Biswa Sarma rebuts Pak’s Brahmaputra water scare, says India holds hydrological edge

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has rejected claims that China could choke Brahmaputra’s flow, asserting India’s dominance over the river’s volume through monsoon-fed systems.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has strongly refuted concerns raised over China potentially restricting Brahmaputra river waters to India, calling the claims speculative and misleading. In response to Pakistan’s apparent alarmist statements, Sarma underscored that the bulk of the Brahmaputra’s flow originates within Indian territory, not China.

The Chief Minister took to social media on Monday to address rising anxieties fuelled by a hypothetical question — “What if China stops the Brahmaputra’s water?” According to Sarma, such a scenario is not only baseless but also rooted in fear rather than factual understanding.

India generates majority of Brahmaputra flow

Explaining the hydrological dynamics, Sarma stated that China contributes only about 30 to 35 percent of the river’s total water through glacial melt and sparse rainfall in the Tibetan plateau. In contrast, nearly 65 to 70 percent of the river’s volume is sourced from India’s monsoon rains and tributaries, particularly in the Northeast.

“The Brahmaputra doesn’t shrink at the border. It grows significantly once it enters India,” Sarma noted. Data cited by him suggests that while the river’s flow at the Indo-China border near Tuting ranges between 2,000 and 3,000 cubic metres per second, it swells to over 15,000–20,000 cubic metres per second in Assam during the monsoon.

Flood relief perspective

Sarma further pointed out that even in the unlikely situation of reduced upstream water from China, the development could paradoxically aid India. “Assam suffers severe floods every year. Less water inflow from upstream could actually reduce the displacement of thousands during the monsoon,” he remarked.

He also stressed that there has been no official indication from China about weaponising the river’s flow, calling the narrative an act of speculative fear-mongering.

Pakistan’s reaction and India’s water sovereignty

Taking a sharp dig at Pakistan, Sarma said that a country which has long profited from the Indus Waters Treaty is now showing signs of panic as India asserts its water rights.

“The Brahmaputra is not under the mercy of any single nation. Its force lies in our geography, our monsoon and the strength of our civilization,” he concluded.

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India-US trade pact likely soon as both sides near consensus

India and the US are close to finalising a major trade agreement that could double their trade volume by 2030.

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India and the United States are close to finalising a much-anticipated trade agreement, according to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking at a strategic forum, Lutnick stated that both nations have reached common ground on a deal that benefits both economies, with negotiations entering their final phase in New Delhi this week.

“You should expect a deal between the United States and India in the not too distant future because I think we found a place that really works for both countries,” Lutnick remarked at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

He noted that India may receive more favourable terms by being among the early entrants in the series of trade pacts the US is planning. “Earlier countries get a better deal, that’s the way it is,” Lutnick said, emphasising India’s proactive approach to secure its position ahead of others.

India sees mutual benefit

Echoing the optimism, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that discussions were progressing with a clear focus on mutual benefits. While in France, Goyal stated that both countries were committed to ensuring preferential market access for each other’s businesses.

“We are working towards the bilateral trade agreement,” Goyal said, underlining that the government is actively pushing for the deal’s conclusion.

Deal to strengthen trade ties

Initially announced in February by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the trade agreement is structured to span multiple sectors. The first phase of the pact is targeted for completion between September and October 2025. A key objective of the agreement is to boost bilateral trade from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030.

A US delegation is currently stationed in New Delhi to accelerate discussions on an interim agreement, expected to be finalised by the end of June. India is also advocating for a complete removal of the 26% tariff imposed on its exports to the US during Trump’s tenure.

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Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web shakes Russia, sends strong message to Trump

Ukraine executes its most far-reaching drone strike under Operation Spider Web, targeting Russian airbases and sending a firm message to Trump and Moscow.

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Ukraine operation Spider web

In a significant escalation of its military tactics, Ukraine has launched its most ambitious drone offensive deep inside Russian territory, targeting multiple military airfields in what it has named Operation Spider Web. The strikes, confirmed by Kyiv as its “most long-range operation,” caught Moscow off guard and served as both a strategic and symbolic move — not just against Russia, but also aimed at the United States.

Zelenskyy claps back at Trump’s Oval Office remark

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media after the strike, calling the operation an “absolutely brilliant result” and notably adding it was “a result achieved solely by Ukraine.” These words were a pointed rebuttal to former US President Donald Trump’s March statement in Washington, where he told Zelenskyy: “Without us, you don’t have any cards.”

The contrast was made even starker when a Ukrainian publication posted an image of Zelenskyy depicted as a card king holding swords and surrounded by drones — a play on Trump’s earlier “no cards” comment.

Inside Ukraine’s most audacious drone operation

According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the operation was meticulously planned over 18 months. Drones were smuggled into Russia, hidden in trucks parked near key airbases. When triggered remotely, the trucks’ cabin roofs opened, launching FPV drones that struck strategic Russian aircraft such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers, as well as A-50 radar aircraft.

Russian regions hit included Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur. While Russia has acknowledged some aircraft were damaged and “caught fire,” the full extent of losses remains unclear.

Ukraine’s timing: A tactical edge before peace talks

These drone strikes come just as Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Istanbul to explore possible peace negotiations. Kyiv’s show of technological capability and battlefield resolve appears to be a strategic maneuver aimed at strengthening its position ahead of the diplomatic engagement.

Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s stance, stating: “We continue to propose a full and unconditional ceasefire,” adding that Ukraine’s plan is “logical and realistic.” He also pointed out that the Russian side has yet to formally share their peace proposal with any party involved in the discussions.

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