'MAGA meets MIGA!’: PM Narendra Modi, Donald Trump set bold $500 billion trade target

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his official visit to the United States, unveiled his vision of “Make India Great Again” (MIGA), a phrase inspired by Donald Trump’s signature slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA). Addressing a joint press conference, Modi stated, “The people of America are well aware of MAGA - Make America Great Again. The people of India are also moving towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”

He added, “In the language of America, it’s Make India Great Again - MIGA. When America and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a ‘mega partnership for prosperity.’”

Doubling trade deals

Economic collaboration took centre stage, with both leaders agreeing to an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Currently, the US is India’s largest trading partner, with trade standing at $129.2 billion in 2024.


Trump highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “We have reached an important agreement on energy that will restore America as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India.” He emphasised that the US aims to become India’s top supplier, ensuring energy security for both nations.

Defence deals

In a significant announcement, Trump said that the United States will be increasing its military sales to India by billions of dollars and his administration is paving the way to provide India with F35 Stealth fighters.

"Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F35, Stealth fighters," Trump said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral talks.

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Energy and Defence Cooperation

Beyond trade, energy cooperation was a key focus. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to expanding oil and gas trade, increasing investments in renewable energy, and strengthening nuclear energy partnerships. Trump added, “India is also reforming its laws to welcome US nuclear technology, which is at the highest level, into the Indian market. This will bring safe, clean, and affordable electricity to millions of Indians.”

Defence collaboration remains a cornerstone of the relationship. Modi said, “America has a crucial role in India’s defence preparedness. Being a strategic and trusted partner, we are actively moving ahead in terms of joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology.” He announced plans to launch an Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance, with a framework for defence cooperation set to shape the next decade.

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India, Middle East, and Europe Corridor

Another major development was the commitment to the India, Middle East, Europe (IMEC) corridor, an ambitious trade route set to reshape global commerce. Trump described it as “one of the greatest trade routes in all of history.”

“It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the US, connecting our partners, roads, railways, and undersea cables. It is a big development,” he said.

The visit underscored the evolving India-US relationship, built on economic, energy, and defence cooperation. As both nations work towards a stronger alliance, the ‘MAGA-MIGA’ vision paves the way for shared prosperity and strategic alignment in the years to come.