US - India Relations: Trump Promises 'Best, Most-Feared' Weapons In $3 Billion Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump Monday promised India’s Narendra Modi the United States would supply New Delhi with “some of the best, most-feared military equipment on the planet” ahead of Tuesday’s expected signing of a $3 billion military deal.

At a massive rally in India’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad kicking off a two-day visit, Trump called on India to help keep the Indo-Pacific “free and open … for our children and for generations to come.”

Washington sees India, the world’s largest democracy as a counterbalance to China. Without mentioning China by name, Trump urged India to keep its neighbor’s “coercion, intimidation and aggression” in check.

“The U.S. looks forward to providing India with some of the best, most feared military equipment on the planet,” Trump said. Modi called Trump “an exceptional leader.”

Trump’s visit comes as tensions are mounting in India over Modi’s effort to change the nation’s democracy to give majority Hindus more power. Clashes between rival protesters for and against the nation’s new citizenship law rocked New Delhi Monday, leaving one police officer dead, as Trump delivered his remarks at the 110,000-seat stadium packed mainly with college students bused in for the event.

"America loves India. America respects India, and America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people," Trump said.

Modi said the visit “opens a new chapter in our relationship.”

Milan Vaishnav, director and senior fellow of the South Asia program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Wall Street Journal the rally allowed Modi to flatter Trump while earning support from Indians living in the United States and to remind Trump U.S.-India relations “cannot be reduced to the [U.S.] trade deficit … . But it also gives Modi a major diplomatic boost at a time when his controversial nativist policies have fueled persistent street protests at home and diplomatic anxiety abroad.”

Trump did not address Modi’s more controversial policies but focused on trade issues like Indian restrictions on U.S. dairy products and price controls on medical devices. Import tariffs also have affected Walmart and Amazon while talks on a trade deal have stalled.

Calling Modi a tough negotiator, Trump promised “a very, very major … trade deal.”

A Pew Research Center survey indicated Trump is popular in India, with 56% approving of his foreign policy.

The U.S. has pressured India to stop buying oil from Iran while U.S. businesses have expressed concerns over New Delhi’s demand they store the personal data of Indian consumers. India also has faced criticism for its handling of unrest in Kashmir and bristled at Trump’s offer to mediate disputes with Pakistan over the area.