Modi-Trump COMPACT: India, US launch MEGA partnership for 21st century

Ushering in a 2.0 phase in bilateral ties, the leaders of India and US launched a new COMPACT, pivoted around accelerated commercial and military ties, to forge a “MEGA” partnership that seeks to “Make India and America Great Again.”

The talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in the White House on February 13 was marked by bonding and bonhomie between the two leaders who have forged a rare personal chemistry over the years.

Pushing the envelope for a new dynamic phase in the India-US ties, the two leaders announced U.S.-India COMPACT, that envisages “Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology for the 21st Century.” The initiative has been designed to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation – defence, investment and trade, energy security, technology and innovation, multilateral cooperation, people-to-people connection

PM Modi coined a new mantra to encapsulate the essence of the next phase of the much-Trumpeted partnership. During a joint briefing with President Trump, PM Modi said: “The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA – Make America Great Again.’

The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.”  “In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again – MIGA. When America and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a ‘mega partnership for prosperity’ and it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives,” the PM said.

Mission 500

The two G20 economies also flagged off “Mission 500,” setting the goal of more than doubling total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. In a bid to assuage anxieties about tariff, the two sides decided to conclude a mini trade deal by the fall of 2025.

In the twin realms of defence and technology, the talks saw new initiatives and momentum, pivoted around “TRUST.” In a pioneering initiative, the two sides rebranded the iCET launched during the Biden administration to U.S.-India TRUST –  “Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology Initiative. This will catalyze government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas like defense, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space.

In the days to come, one will see accelerated collaboration in cutting-edge technologies by launching a U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure by the end of the year.