Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. Vice President JD Vance have underscored significant progress in India-U.S. trade negotiations, with a shared vision to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. This development follows Modi’s recent discussion with Elon Musk on enhancing collaboration in technology and innovation.
During a meeting at Modi’s residence in New Delhi on April 21, both leaders expressed optimism about finalizing a bilateral trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and expanding cooperation in defense and energy sectors. Vance emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that failure to strengthen U.S.-India ties could lead to a “very dark time” globally.
Concurrently, Modi’s conversation with Musk focused on the immense potential for collaboration in technology and innovation. The dialogue builds upon their earlier meeting in Washington, D.C., and comes as Musk plans to visit India later this year. Tesla is actively hiring for positions in Delhi and Mumbai, signaling a potential market entry, while Starlink awaits regulatory approval to launch satellite internet services in India.
These engagements occur against the backdrop of the United States’ 90-day pause on proposed tariffs, providing a window for India to negotiate favorable trade terms. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has indicated India’s willingness to reduce tariffs on over half of its $41.8 billion imports from the U.S., aiming to conclude the initial phase of the trade agreement by autumn 2025.
The convergence of high-level diplomatic discussions and corporate interest highlights a pivotal moment in India-U.S. relations, with both nations poised to deepen economic and technological collaboration.
