United States-India Joint Leaders’ Statement

February 13, 2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Joint Strategic Partnership: President Trump and Prime Minister Modi reaffirm the robust India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and launch the “U.S.-India COMPACT” initiative to drive military, economic, technological, and people-to-people ties.
Defense Cooperation:
- Announced a new ten‐year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership.
- Expanded defense sales, co-production (e.g., “Javelin” missiles, “Stryker” vehicles), and procurement of additional P‑8I aircraft and other U.S.-origin defense systems.
- Planned review of arms transfer regulations (including ITAR) and initiation of a Reciprocal Defense Procurement agreement.
- Launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) to boost partnerships in maritime systems, UAS technologies, and overall military cooperation across air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace.
- Enhanced joint training, exercises (e.g., “Tiger Triumph”), and support for overseas deployments and humanitarian missions.
Trade and Investment:
- Set a bold “Mission 500” goal to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
- Committed to negotiating a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement by fall 2025 with new fair-trade terms, tariff reductions, and enhanced market access.
- Supported greenfield investments by U.S. and Indian companies in high-value industries, generating thousands of jobs.
Energy Security:
- Reaffirmed commitment to the U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership covering oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy.
- Focused on enhancing hydrocarbon production, expanding strategic petroleum reserves, and increasing energy trade.
- Advanced plans under the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement to build U.S.-designed reactors with localization and technology transfer.
Technology and Innovation:
- Launched the U.S.-India TRUST initiative to drive collaboration in AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy, and space.
- Committed to accelerating AI infrastructure and establishing INDUS Innovation to foster academic and industrial partnerships.
- Focused on building resilient supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals through initiatives like Strategic Mineral Recovery.
- Enhanced civil space cooperation (e.g., NASA-ISRO AXIOM, NISAR mission) and deepened scientific research collaboration via partnerships between U.S. NSF and Indian research bodies.
- Addressed export control challenges and barriers to technology transfer.
Multilateral Cooperation:
- Reaffirmed the centrality of the U.S.-India partnership for a free, open Indo-Pacific aligned with Quad and ASEAN principles.
- Planned enhanced collaboration with partners in the Middle East, Western Indian Ocean, and Indo-Pacific via new initiatives and forums.
- Committed to coordinated multinational military efforts, counterterrorism measures (including extradition actions), and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
People-to-People Cooperation:
- Emphasized the significant economic and cultural contributions of the over 300,000-strong Indian student community in the U.S.
- Committed to strengthening academic partnerships through joint degrees, Centers of Excellence, and campus collaborations.
- Promoted secure and innovative mobility frameworks for students, professionals, and tourists while intensifying efforts against illegal immigration and human trafficking.
- Enhanced law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational crime and ensure mutual security.

Risks & Considerations

The U.S.-India COMPACT initiative and the deepening defense partnership could lead to increased collaboration opportunities for Vanderbilt University, particularly in research and development in defense technologies. However, this may also require compliance with international regulations such as ITAR, which could pose moderate compliance risks.
The emphasis on technology and innovation, including AI and semiconductors, presents opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in collaborative research with Indian institutions. This could enhance the university’s research capabilities but may also require navigating complex intellectual property and technology transfer regulations.
The focus on people-to-people cooperation and academic collaborations could benefit Vanderbilt by increasing the flow of Indian students and researchers. However, changes in immigration policies and mobility frameworks could impact the university’s ability to attract and retain international talent.
The commitment to energy security and civil nuclear cooperation may open avenues for research partnerships in energy technologies. Vanderbilt could leverage its expertise in this area, but must be mindful of potential regulatory and safety considerations.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt School of Engineering could see increased opportunities for collaboration in defense and technology sectors, particularly in AI, semiconductors, and autonomous systems.
Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services may need to adapt to changes in immigration policies to support the increased mobility of students and researchers from India.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment could benefit from partnerships in energy security and nuclear energy research, aligning with the U.S.-India energy collaboration goals.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development may play a role in fostering educational collaborations and joint degree programs with Indian institutions.

Financial Impact

The expansion of trade and investment between the U.S. and India could lead to increased funding opportunities for research and development projects at Vanderbilt, particularly in technology and innovation sectors.
Vanderbilt may experience a rise in tuition revenue from Indian students, given the emphasis on strengthening educational ties and mobility frameworks.
Collaborations in energy and technology sectors could attract grants and investments, enhancing Vanderbilt’s financial resources for research initiatives.
Potential regulatory changes in defense and technology sectors may require Vanderbilt to allocate resources for compliance and legal considerations.

Relevance Score: 3 (The initiatives present moderate risks and opportunities, particularly in compliance and international collaboration.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative, particularly in areas of technology and defense cooperation, to identify potential opportunities for collaboration or funding that align with the university’s research strengths.
The School of Engineering should explore partnerships with Indian institutions and industries in the fields of artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology, as highlighted in the U.S.-India TRUST initiative, to enhance research capabilities and innovation.
Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services should prepare for potential increases in Indian student enrollment by strengthening support services and exploring joint/dual degree programs with Indian universities, as indicated by the emphasis on people-to-people ties.
The Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess opportunities for technology transfer and commercialization in collaboration with Indian partners, particularly in emerging technologies and critical minerals, as part of the Strategic Mineral Recovery initiative.
Vanderbilt’s Peabody College should consider developing programs or research initiatives focused on international education collaboration, leveraging the commitment to strengthen higher education ties between the U.S. and India.

Opportunities

The focus on enhancing U.S.-India trade and investment presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management to engage in research and consultancy projects that support businesses navigating the evolving trade landscape.
The emphasis on energy security and collaboration in civil nuclear energy offers Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering a chance to participate in research and development projects related to energy technologies and infrastructure.
The commitment to advancing space cooperation could allow Vanderbilt’s Department of Physics and Astronomy to engage in joint research projects with Indian space agencies, particularly in areas like space exploration and satellite technology.
The initiative to build trusted and resilient supply chains, including for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine to collaborate on research and development of critical medicines and medical technologies.
The focus on people-to-people ties and academic collaborations can enhance Vanderbilt’s global reputation by establishing joint Centers of Excellence and offshore campuses in India, fostering international academic partnerships.

Relevance Score: 4 (The initiatives present significant opportunities for Vanderbilt to expand its research, educational collaborations, and global influence, requiring major process changes to capitalize on these opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.4

Timeline for Implementation

This year (2025) – Signing the new ten‐year Framework, initiating new procurements and co-production arrangements, and commencing bilateral defense trade reviews are all planned for completion within the current year.
By fall 2025 – Negotiations for the first tranche of the Bilateral Trade Agreement and announcements of new partnership initiatives in select sub-regions are expected to be finalized by fall 2025.
By the end of 2025 – The U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure is to be delivered by year-end.
Within the next six months – Convening partners from the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor to announce new initiatives in 2025 is set to occur within the next six months.

The shortest timeline identified is “within the next six months”, which indicates a 180-day period for compliance.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Defense (DoD): Oversees the enhanced U.S.-India defense partnership, procurement of military hardware, joint exercises, and strategic military cooperation initiatives.
Department of State: Plays a key role in arms transfer regulation reviews, ITAR adjustments, and managing bilateral diplomatic engagements related to defense and technology exchanges.
Department of Energy (DOE): Integral to advancing the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement and collaborating on energy security, including strategic petroleum reserves and nuclear reactor initiatives.
NASA: Involved in civil space cooperation projects such as the joint NASA-ISRO mission, which include bringing an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station and advancing mapping and space exploration efforts.
National Science Foundation (NSF): Collaborates with Indian scientific agencies to foster joint research in emerging technologies, facilitating academic and technological partnerships.
Department of Commerce / Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR): Engaged in negotiating the Bilateral Trade Agreement, setting trade ambitions under “Mission 500,” and promoting U.S. exports in various sectors.
Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Involved in law enforcement aspects such as processing extradition matters and collaborating on countering illegal immigration and transnational criminal activities.

Relevance Score: 3 (A broad set of approximately 6–10 Federal agencies are impacted by this comprehensive U.S.-India strategic partnership.)

Responsible Officials

N/A – The text is a high-level bilateral statement outlining mutual initiatives and commitments without specifying any particular officials or agency positions tasked with implementation.

Relevance Score: 1 (No specific implementation officials were designated, resulting in a non-applicable impact score.)