Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump launched a new initiative—'US-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century'—in a bid to drive transformative change across various sectors, including defence, during the ongoing visit of the Indian PM to the US.
#WATCH | Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump says, "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."
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
(Video: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/V8EzU0FfE9
Highlighting the deepening convergence of US-India strategic interests, Modi and Trump reaffirmed the commitment to a dynamic defense partnership between the two nations, spanning various domains. The duo also announced plans to sign a new ten-year framework for the US-India major defense partnership in the 21st century to further enhance military ties. They also pledged to elevate cooperation across all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace—through enhanced training, exercises, and operations, incorporating the latest technologies.
#WATCH | In the meeting with PM Narendra Modi at the White House, US President Donald Trump says, "It's a great honour to have PM Modi of India. He is a great friend of mine for a long time. We have had a wonderful relationship and we kept the relationship during our 4 year… pic.twitter.com/uxkrug8JxH
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
The US acknowledged that India is a major defense partner with Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA 1) besides being a key Quad partner. The two countries also agreed to review their respective arms transfer regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), to streamline defense trade, technology exchange and maintenance, spare supplies and in-country repair and overhaul of US-provided defense systems.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | PM Narendra Modi says, "India and America's partnership strengthens democracy and democratic values. We will work together to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. QUAD will have an important role in it. This time, India is going… pic.twitter.com/7km9vEmqMa
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
Modi and Trump welcomed the integration of US-origin weapons and other equipment into India's inventory, including C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon aircraft; CH-47F Chinooks, MH-60R Seahawks, and AH-64E Apaches; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; M777 howitzers; and MQ-9B drones.
According to a statement from the PMO, the US assured that it would expand defense sales and co-production with India to strengthen interoperability and defense industrial cooperation.
The two leaders also announced new procurements and co-production arrangements for 'Javelin' anti-tank guided missiles and 'Stryker' infantry combat vehicles in India.
Besides, the completion of procurement for six additional P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft to enhance India’s maritime surveillance reach in the Indian Ocean Region is expected soon.
India and US pledged to accelerate defense technology cooperation across space, air defense, missile, maritime and undersea technologies.
The US announced a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters and undersea systems to India.
"Finally, the leaders committed to break new ground to support and sustain the overseas deployments of the US and Indian militaries in the Indo-Pacific, including enhanced logistics and intelligence sharing, as well as arrangements to improve force mobility for joint humanitarian and disaster relief operations along with other exchanges and security cooperation engagements,” the PMO statement read.
