Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India and the US have a ‘MEGA’ partnership for prosperity. During a joint briefing with President Donald Trump in February, PM Modi linked India’s Viksit Bharat vision, which he said translates into ‘Make India Great Again (MIGA)’ with Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA)’ slogan. He spoke these words at a joint press conference held at the White House.

PM Modi said that a joint vision of ‘MAGA’ and ‘MIGA’ became a ‘MEGA’ partnership for prosperity. “The people of America are well aware of President Trump’s motto ‘MAGA - Make America Great Again.’ The people of India too are focusing on heritage and development as they move forward at a fast pace and with a firm resolve towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. 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’ and it is this mega spirit that gives new scale and scope to our objectives,” the PM said.

The two leaders also announced that India and the US have set a USD 500 billion target for bilateral trade by 2030. “Today, we have also set a target to increase our bilateral trade to more than double, reaching USD 500 billion by 2030. Our teams will work on finalising a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” PM Modi said, adding that the two countries are moving forward in the direction of joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology.

“We will strengthen oil and gas trade to ensure India’s energy security. In the energy infrastructure, investment will increase. In the nuclear energy sector, we spoke about deepening our cooperation, in the direction of small modular reactors. America plays a key role in India’s defence preparedness. In the coming days, new technology and equipment will increase our capacity,” he said.

PM Modi later wrote on his X handle, “President Trump often talks about MAGA. In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in American context translates into MIGA. And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!”

Copy of book

President Trump gifted a signed copy of his book ‘Our Journey Together’ to the Indian PM at the White House. At his Oval Office the US President welcomed PM Modi with a warm hug before settling down for the crucial talks. “I am delighted to see you back at the White House,” PM Modi told President Trump. During this joint presser, President Trump also presented a memorable photo from his 2020 historic trip to India when he visited the Taj Mahal. While meeting PM Modi, President Trump said, “We missed you, we missed you a lot.” On his part, PM Modi gave him a hug and told him, “It’s great to see you again.” This was PM Modi’s first meeting with President Trump after his re-election and they picked up their bonhomie where they had left off. “He is a special man,” President Trump said of Mr Modi. He recalled PM Modi’s hospitality to him and his wife Melania in India in 2020 and said he was happy to reciprocate.

He introduced PM Modi to other officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk. White House Deputy Chief of Staff shared a picture of PM Modi and Trump on X. While sharing the picture on X, Dan Scavino said, “Behind Scenes in the West Wing lobby -- @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse.”

The Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived at the White House soon after PM Modi’s arrival.

Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, Indian flags were being put up at the White House. The Prime Minister was among the first few world leaders to visit the US following President Trump’s inauguration. He has been invited to visit within three weeks of the new administration taking office. Since November 2024, PM Modi and President Trump have spoken on the phone twice.