Trump Backs India’s Bid For Full Membership Of International Energy Agency During PM Modi’s US Visit

In a major development during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States (US), President Donald Trump announced US support for India’s bid to become a full member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), reported The Hindu.

Building US-India ‘Energy’ Partnership Further!

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the US-India Energy Security Partnership, which focuses on oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy collaboration.

The joint statement highlighted the full realisation of the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, with plans to construct US-designed nuclear reactors in India, incorporating large-scale localisation and potential technology transfer.

The 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, signed in 2008, paved the way for civil nuclear cooperation between the two nations, but its implementation had faced delays.

This renewed commitment could accelerate India’s transition towards clean and sustainable energy while enhancing nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

Trump Calls India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) a ‘Historic Trade Route’

President Trump also announced that India and the US would jointly work on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it one of the greatest trade routes in history.

The IMEC aims to enhance connectivity between India, Israel, Italy, and the US, integrating roads, railways, and undersea cables to strengthen global trade networks.

"We agreed to work together to help build 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 through roads, railways, and undersea cables," President Trump was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Trump emphasised that both nations would continue investing heavily in IMEC to ensure its success, acknowledging the financial commitment already made and pledging additional investments.

"It is a lot of money going to be spent and we have already spent some but we are going to be spending a lot more in order to stay advanced and stay the leader" he added.

Highlighting the strongest-ever friendship between the US and India, Trump said, “I am pleased to report that with today’s announcements, the friendship between the US and India is the strongest, I believe it has ever been. I think our relationship is the best it’s ever been between two leaders of two countries,”

Also Read: Modi-Macron Talks Put India-Middle East-Europe Corridor Back In Focus