Following the G7 Summit in Canada, US President Donald Trump invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the United States. Citing prior commitments, Prime Minister Modi declined the invitation. Instead, the two leaders spoke by phone, during which Modi invited Trump to India for the next Quad summit, which Trump accepted with enthusiasm. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that President Trump had asked Prime Minister Modi if he could visit the US on his return from Canada; however, Modi expressed his inability due to pre-scheduled engagements. After wrapping up his Canada visit, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to Croatia, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Balkan nation.
This development occurs amidst a backdrop of complex India-U.S. relations. While both countries share a comprehensive global strategic partnership, there are ongoing discussions and negotiations on trade, defense, and other key areas. In February 2025, President Trump hosted Prime Minister Modi for an Official Working Visit in Washington, D.C., where they launched the "U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century." This initiative aims to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation, with a results-driven agenda to demonstrate mutual trust.
During the February meeting, the leaders set a goal to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, dubbed "Mission 500". They also announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025, aiming to increase market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepen supply chain integration.
Defense cooperation remains a crucial aspect of the India-U.S. partnership. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a dynamic defense partnership and announced plans to sign a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century this year. The U.S. has also expanded defense sales and co-production with India to strengthen interoperability and defense industrial cooperation.
The invitation to President Trump to attend the Quad summit in India underscores the importance of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. The Quad is committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. India will host the 2025 edition of the Quad Summit with President Donald Trump set to attend. The Quad focuses on key areas such as climate change, critical and emerging technology, cyber, health security, infrastructure, and space, providing strategic direction to engagements in the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi's decision to decline President Trump's invitation, while extending an invitation to the Quad summit, reflects India's strategic priorities and its growing role on the global stage. It highlights India's commitment to multilateral partnerships and its focus on advancing its interests within the framework of the Quad.
