In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to sell advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to India during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the White House on February 14, 2025.
The announcement came during a joint press conference where both leaders emphasized strengthening military and trade cooperation between the two nations. "Starting this year, we'll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars," Trump stated, adding that the U.S. would "pave the way" for India to acquire the sophisticated F-35 fighters.
The proposed F-35 deal marks a major milestone in U.S.-India defense partnership, as these state-of-the-art stealth fighters represent one of America's most advanced military technologies. The significance of the F-35 jets is also evident in other global contexts, such as when Norway announced it will deploy F-35 fighter jets, NASAMS air defense systems, and approximately 100 military personnel to Poland as part of NATO's integrated air and missile defense efforts starting in December 2024.
During the meeting, both leaders expressed commitment to expanding bilateral trade relations. Modi highlighted plans to boost oil and gas trade to enhance India's energy security, while expressing optimism about finalizing a "mutually beneficial trade agreement" soon.
The White House meeting was also notable for the presence of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who serves as an advisor in Trump's administration. Musk held a separate meeting with Modi, though questions arose about whether the interaction was in an official or business capacity.
The warm reception of Modi, who was only the fourth world leader to visit the White House since Trump's return to office, underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two democracies, particularly in light of China's rising influence in the region.
Trump praised his "special bond" with Modi, describing the Indian leader as a "much tougher negotiator." Modi reciprocated the friendly gesture by adapting Trump's famous "Make America Great Again" slogan during their interactions.