The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has lauded the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, describing it as a milestone for bilateral relations across trade, investment, defence, and technology.

The visit, which laid the groundwork under the US-India COMPACT framework, sets the stage for deeper collaboration in key sectors.

“A new chapter has been added to the India–US partnership, enabling much stronger collaboration in strategic sectors including defence, energy, semiconductors, space, and emerging technologies,” said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII. “The visit is especially significant as it will boost manufacturing in India, attract increased foreign direct investment, and create jobs.”

Trade and market access

A major takeaway from the visit was the decision to initiate the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement. This agreement aims to ease trade barriers, streamline regulatory processes, and set a target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. CII expressed optimism that this will particularly benefit labour-intensive exports from India and industrial goods from the US.

The industry body also anticipates greater market access for Indian products and services as regulatory harmonisation progresses.

Energy partnership for net zero goals

Energy cooperation emerged as a critical focus area, especially in the context of India’s net-zero targets. The US, with its substantial gas reserves, could play a crucial role in meeting India’s growing energy needs.

Discussions around nuclear reactors align with India’s plan to achieve 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047, potentially opening avenues for technology collaboration.

Defence ties strengthened

Defence cooperation featured prominently during the visit, with the launch of a 10-year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership. Key agreements include co-production of Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles, Stryker Infantry Vehicles, and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The visit also saw the expansion of INDUS-X, a platform connecting defence firms, investors, and academia from both nations to foster innovation in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced military technologies. The creation of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) will further this collaboration, particularly in AI-driven unmanned systems.

Technology and innovation drive

Technology cooperation took centre stage with the introduction of the US-India TRUST Initiative (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology). This initiative focuses on fostering innovation, investment, and industrial partnerships, with an emphasis on AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, biotech, and quantum computing.

The TRUST Initiative is expected to unlock investments in data centres, computing power, and regulatory frameworks while boosting India’s semiconductor ecosystem and diversifying supply chains.

Broader economic impact

According to CII, the visit’s outcomes align with India’s broader economic goals by enhancing export competitiveness, attracting FDI, and creating high-tech jobs. Sectors such as aerospace, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy stand to benefit from the strengthened ties.

“The new deals and frameworks are expected to enable Indian industry to scale up, innovate, and integrate more deeply with global markets,” Banerjee noted. “Increased defence co-production and technology sharing mean Indian firms can participate in advanced manufacturing and R&D, elevating their capabilities.”

Looking ahead, CII plans to work closely with stakeholders from both countries to implement these agreements on the ground. The industry body remains optimistic that the visit has ushered in a new era of India–US collaboration, fostering innovation, growth, and prosperity in the years to come.