Modi-Trump talks: India to buy more US arms, oil, and strategic minerals

Washington is set to significantly increase arms sales to New Delhi, including paving the way for the eventual delivery of F-35 fighter jets, US President Donald Trump announced during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We will increase arms sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to eventually provide F-35 fighter jets to India,” Trump said following his meeting with Modi at the White House, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

The leaders also discussed energy cooperation, with Trump revealing that India will boost imports of US oil and gas in an effort to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries.

Another major initiative unveiled during the talks was a joint agreement to develop a strategic trade corridor. According to Trump, the planned route will connect India to Israel, then extend to Italy and ultimately to the United States through a network of ports, railways, and submarine communication cables.

Prime Minister Modi, in his remarks, highlighted a new initiative between the two nations focused on the extraction and processing of key strategic minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements — resources essential for high-tech industries, including defence and renewable energy.

Trade was also a key topic of discussion, with Trump announcing that Washington would impose reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, mirroring the duties that New Delhi currently applies to American products.

Modi arrived in Washington on February 13 at Trump’s invitation, which had been publicly announced in January. In turn, the Indian leader invited Trump to visit India on the same date next year.

By Tamilla Hasanova