Washington:
In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a productive phone call, marking their first interaction since Trump’s reelection. The conversation underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the realms of defense, trade, and regional security.
PM Modi is expected to visit the White House in February, a visit that highlights the robust strategic ties between the two nations. This upcoming visit follows a series of discussions that emphasized India’s role in increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment, a move seen as crucial for deepening the U.S.-India defense partnership.
During the phone call, President Trump stressed the necessity for India to bolster its purchases of American-made security equipment. This emphasis is part of a broader strategy to move toward a fair bilateral trading relationship between the U.S. and India. The discussion reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, encompassing areas such as defense, trade, technology, and energy.
The leaders also outlined plans for PM Modi’s visit to the White House, likely scheduled for February, and a subsequent visit by Trump for the Quad Summit later this year. The Quad Summit, with India hosting the Quad Leaders for the first time, underscores the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and the Quad partnership in the bilateral relationship.
India has been a significant buyer of U.S. defense equipment in recent years, with notable purchases including MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, Apache helicopters, and the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure. The U.S. is pushing for increased defense procurement through both Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) processes, which support thousands of jobs in both countries and enhance the defense industrial bases.
The phone call also delved into regional and global security issues, including the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. The leaders exchanged views on the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, reaffirming their commitment to promoting global peace, prosperity, and security. The Indo-Pacific region, particularly, remains a focal point due to growing Chinese influence, making the Quad partnership a vital component of U.S.-India cooperation.
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