Tahawwur Rana Not Mentioned in Trump-Modi Talks
The US-India partnership is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional security and trade, with India seeking to modernize its military and reduce its trade deficit with the US. The deal is subject to a formal process and has not been finalized, but it marks a significant step towards closer ties between the two countries.
US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on a deal for India to import more American oil and gas, as part of a "mega partnership" to boost trade and reduce a trade deficit between the two countries, with no mention of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-American linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
The deal is subject to a formal process and has not been finalized, but it is seen as a significant development in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The US sees India as a counterbalance to China's rising power and the two countries are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. India has agreed to buy over $20 billion in US defense products since 2008 and plans to spend over $200 billion to modernize its military over the next decade.
Trump also criticized India for having some of the highest trade tariffs in the world, calling them a "big problem", and announced that the US would extradite a man accused of plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack to face justice in India. However, it is unclear if this refers to Tahawwur Rana, who was previously linked to the attack. Modi said he was open to reducing tariffs on US goods and repatriating undocumented Indian nationals.
The energy deal is seen as a relatively low-hanging fruit for both parties, but India's challenge will be to balance its own trade deficit due to the stronger US dollar. The US is also expected to increase sales of military hardware to India, including supplying F-35 fighter jets. The two leaders will also discuss a trade deal, with the US seeking concessions from India on tariffs and immigration.
The meeting between Trump and Modi marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between the two countries, with a focus on trade, defense, and security cooperation. While Tahawwur Rana was not mentioned in the talks, the extradition of a man accused of plotting the 2008 Mumbai terror attack is a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families.
