U.S. and India signal progress on trade, defense and AI after summit

Mr. President told reporters that negotiations on a U.S.-India trade deal were "very close," and praised Prime Minister Modi as a strong negotiator while highlighting growing trade and investment between the two countries.

The leaders framed bilateral ties as broad and active. Prime Minister Modi, as addressed in remarks during the exchange, said U.S. and Indian teams were coordinating toward targets set last year and commended recent progress in the relationship. Mr. President recalled the "Howdy Modi" event and said India ‘‘plays a big role’’ in global affairs.

The president connected trade with broader cooperation on defense and technology. On defense, he said the United States would "be there to help" India if it were attacked while adding a caveat about future leadership. On technology, Mr. President described a recent AI summit as "a great meeting," saying the U.S. is "number one in AI by a lot" and that participants were building "tremendous numbers of plans."

Reporters pressed for timing and details. When asked how close a trade deal was, Mr. President answered "Very close" and described the Indian leader as "one of the toughest" negotiators. The exchange did not include a text of an agreement, timetable, or binding commitments; neither side announced a signed deal at the press session.

The session closed with both leaders describing the bilateral relationship as very close and thanking one another.