Modi-Trump meeting: India to get F-35 jets, no change in US policy on deporting illegal immigrants

NEW DELHI: The United States is set to expand its defence cooperation with India, offering F-35 fighter jets, one of the world's most advanced combat aircraft. With the F-35 joining the French Rafale jets, the Indian Air Force's strike capability will see a significant boost. The F-35 competes with Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, which Russia has also offered to India.

The United States will hand over Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India. The agreement in this regard was reached during discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi has returned to Delhi after completing a two-day visit to the U.S.

However, Trump has refused to withdraw the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports from India. He stated that if India reduces tariffs on U.S. imports, a similar approach could be considered. There will also be no change in U.S. policy on deporting illegal immigrants. A second flight carrying 119 deportees is expected to land in Amritsar on Saturday.

Both Modi and Trump urged Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to justice and to cease cross-border terrorism.

F-35- Most powerful fighter jet

• Price: $115 million per unit
• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
• One of the most powerful fifth-generation fighter jets
• Supplied to NATO allies, Israel, Japan, and other nations
• Speed: 1,200 miles per hour
• Weapon Capacity: Can carry up to 8,100 kg of armaments

U.S.-India defence cooperation

Joint development, joint production, and technology transfer of defence equipment

10-year defense collaboration agreement

U.S.-India Trust for collaboration in defence, artificial intelligence, chips, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy, academia, and the private sector.

Technical assistance in AI development. The ISRO-NASA mission NISAR, aimed at monitoring Earth's surface, will be launched from India.