US President Donald Trump on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "tougher negotiator" than himself while addressing a joint press conference with the Indian leader.
"He (PM Narendra Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest," Trump stated during the media briefing.
Trump pointed to the strengthening India-US partnership, announcing significant military sales, including the potential supply of F-35 stealth fighter jets, and deeper collaboration within the Quad security framework to uphold regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
On the trade front, Trump, who has previously criticised India as the "tariff king," reiterated concerns over the country's import duties.
"Whatever India charges, we charge them. So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge," he remarked.
Also read: US set to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, confirms Prez Trump
A key highlight of the announcement was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), an ambitious trade initiative connecting India with the Gulf region and Europe. Trump described IMEC as "one of the greatest trade routes in all of history," linking India to Israel, Italy, and the United States via railways, roads, and undersea cables.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on IMEC was previously signed by India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany during the G20 Summit in 2023.
Reaffirming security cooperation, Trump confirmed that the US would significantly increase military sales to India, paving the way for the future provision of F-35 stealth fighters.
"Starting this year, we will increase military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 Stealth fighters. In 2017, my administration revived and reinvigorated the Quad security partnership... Prime Minister and I reaffirm the strong cooperation among the United States, India, Australia and Japan, and it's really crucial to maintain peace, prosperity, tranquillity in the Indo-Pacific," Trump noted.
In the energy sector, Trump disclosed new agreements ensuring that the United States would emerge as a primary supplier of oil and natural gas to India. He also highlighted India's regulatory reforms, which would facilitate the entry of American nuclear technology into its energy market.
"The Prime Minister and I also reached an important agreement on energy that will ensure the US to be the leading supplier of oil and natural gas to India, hopefully, the number one supplier. In the groundbreaking development for the US nuclear industry, India is also reforming laws to welcome US nuclear technology, which is at the highest level in the Indian market," he said.
Also read: PM Modi, Prez Trump meet, announce ambitious defence, energy plans
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