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India’s PM Modi to Meet Trump, Musk to Discuss Trade, AI, and Starlink Expansion

India’s Modi to Meet with Trump and Musk Amid Rising Trade Tensions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Washington, D.C., for high-level meetings with President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and senior U.S. officials to discuss key topics, including trade relations, defense procurement, and artificial intelligence (AI) policy.

The visit marks a significant moment as India looks to deepen its economic and technological ties with the United States while addressing trade imbalances and collaborating on global tech initiatives.


 

Key Topics in Modi-Trump Meeting

In his meeting with President Trump, Modi will present strategies to reduce India’s trade deficit with the U.S. and offer trade concessions in key areas such as agriculture and medical devices, according to sources familiar with the agenda.

India is also expected to announce its intention to procure more U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), potentially expanding its partnership with Cheniere Energy. Currently, India imports around 20% of its LNG from the U.S.

Additionally, India is keen on expanding its purchase of U.S. defense equipment from companies like Stryker, while also increasing joint military exercises in the Indian Ocean to counter regional threats from China.


 


One-on-One with Elon Musk

Modi will meet Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, to discuss several tech-focused initiatives, including:

AI policy and regulation

Starlink’s expansion into India for improving internet access in remote areas

Tesla’s potential entry into the Indian market

India has long expressed interest in Tesla opening a manufacturing plant in the country, though the company’s current focus remains on China. Starlink’s growth in India could further boost internet connectivity in underserved regions and drive digital transformation.


Strengthening Tech Partnerships

Modi and his team will also reinforce India’s interest in acquiring high-performance GPUs from U.S. manufacturers like Nvidia, particularly to support India’s growing AI sector. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently visited Mumbai and expressed interest in partnering with India’s Reliance Industries to develop advanced AI solutions.

U.S. tech giants have already recognized India as a key growth market. Companies like Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have pledged billions of dollars in investments to capitalize on India’s emerging middle class and growing tech ecosystem.

Apple now manufactures 10% to 15% of its iPhones in India and opened several retail stores in the country in 2023.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, hinted at plans to expand production in India further.


Economic Context

Modi’s visit comes at a crucial time for India’s economy. The MSCI India ETF has dropped 5% in 2025 and 15% since September 2024, while Chinese stocks have surged as investors bet on China’s AI advancements. The iShares MSCI China ETF has risen 11% this year, driven by the success of DeepSeek’s AI model.


Final Thoughts

Modi’s meetings with Trump, Musk, and U.S. tech leaders highlight India’s ambition to solidify its role as a global tech hub while addressing trade and security concerns. Expanding partnerships in AI, defense, and renewable energy could position India for long-term growth and technological leadership.

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