U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have issued a joint leaders’ statement reaffirming the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
The White House said Thursday that the two nation leaders launched the U.S.-India Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology—or COMPACT—for the 21st Century initiative as part of the cooperation.
Joint Statement on Defense
In the statement, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi announced plans to sign a new 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century this year. They also discussed the possibility of integrating U.S.-origin defense items into India’s inventory, such as the MH‑60R Seahawk helicopters, the C‑17 Globemaster III aircraft and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
The leaders additionally talked about reassessing their respective arms transfer regulations and opening negotiations for a reciprocal defense procurement agreement to align their procurement and supply systems for military goods and services.
Space Cooperation
In the technology and innovation portion of the joint statement, the leaders also touched on U.S.-India civil space cooperation and said 2025 would be a pioneering year due to plans for a NASA-Indian Space Research Organisation initiative, or ISRO, via Axiom Space.
Under the agreement signed by Axiom with ISRO, an Indian astronaut will be flown to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4.
