During a four-day trip to India, US Vice President JD Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss trade and expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement between the two countries. This meeting occurred at a critical juncture, as India aims to finalize an early trade deal before the expiration of a 90-day pause on tariffs, initially announced by the Trump administration.

According to the Indian government's readout, Prime Minister Modi and Vice President Vance reviewed the advancements made in multiple areas of bilateral cooperation, positively assessing the progress. They acknowledged the ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in sectors such as energy, defense, and strategic technologies. The United States is particularly interested in increasing its defense exports to India, which it hopes will help reduce its trade deficit with Delhi. Cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, as well as small and advanced modular reactors, remains a priority for India in its discussions with the US.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global matters of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. Discussions included the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, with PM Modi reaffirming India's support for peace talks involving all relevant parties. PM Modi fondly recalled his visit to the US, shortly after Trump's return to the White House, and his productive discussions with President Trump, which established a roadmap for close cooperation between India and the US, leveraging the strengths of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) and Viksit Bharat 2047 initiatives. The US side also acknowledged that during that meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the strength of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and jointly launched the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) for the 21st century, an initiative built on mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill, and robust engagement between their citizens. PM Modi extended his best wishes to Vice President Vance, his wife Usha, and their children for a pleasant and productive stay in India.

Modi's office reported "significant progress in the negotiations," noting that the two countries are negotiating the first part of a trade deal. Vance's office echoed this sentiment, stating that the two leaders outlined a plan to advance economic discussions. Both sides recognize the talks as an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries. Following these meetings, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the finalization of the Terms of Reference, which will serve as a roadmap for reciprocal trade negotiations between Washington and India's Ministry of Commerce. The leaders also discussed enhancing cooperation in energy, defense, and strategic technologies.

Separately, ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia, PM Modi emphasized the strength and potential of the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, calling their bond "a pillar of stability in a world full of uncertainties." He lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's leadership and his commitment to bilateral ties. PM Modi highlighted the countries' strong economic connection, with growing trade and investment, particularly in energy and food security. He noted that the economic relationship is rooted in history, with trade ties as old as the monsoon winds between the two countries. He pointed out the natural connection between the two nations due to their proximity and complementary economies, which has allowed their trade ties to thrive even during global challenges. While sectors like energy, agriculture, and fertilizers are the main areas of trade, efforts at diversification have proven fruitful. Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections.

PM Modi also underscored the growth in bilateral investments and the opportunities for collaboration across emerging sectors. He noted the active role of Indian companies in contributing to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He emphasized the shared commitment to deepening economic ties through initiatives such as a Bilateral Investment Treaty and a proposed Free Trade Agreement with the GCC. PM Modi sees immense potential in the Free Trade Agreement to transform the economic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, and the region in general.