US vice president JD Vance and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi spoke on Tuesday (11) about how the US can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in US nuclear technology, the White House said.
The meeting between Vance and Modi in Paris, where they were both attending an artificial intelligence summit, came ahead of the prime minister's US visit later this week in which topics like trade, investment, technology and immigration are expected to be discussed.
Earlier this month, India proposed to amend its nuclear liability law to boost foreign and private investments in the much-guarded sector. Analysts say Washington has for years seen India as a counter to China's rising global influence.
Modi and Vance "discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the US can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in clean, reliable US nuclear technology," the White House said in a statement.
The prime minister posted images of the meeting on X, showing him with the Vance family, including their sons Ewan and Vivek.
The post read: “Had a wonderful meeting with US VP J.D. Vance and his family. We had a great conversation on various subjects. Delighted to join them in celebrating the joyous birthday of their son, Vivek!”
Earlier, in a video shared by PMO India, the prime minister was seen holding bilateral talks with Vance, while his wife watched on. It came soon after Vance's address at the summit, in which he welcomed Modi's positive stance on AI as co-chair of the conference with France.
JD Vance attends a bilateral meeting with Modi at the residence of the US Ambassador in Paris, France, February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis.
“I appreciate PM Modi's point. AI will facilitate and make people more productive. It is not going to replace human beings, it will never replace human beings,” Vance said.
On the trade front, strict liabilities under India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, had hampered implementation of an India-US nuclear deal that envisaged participation of US power plant makers such as General Electric and Westinghouse.
Modi and Donald Trump spoke late in January after the US president took office. The White House said that in that phone call Trump had stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship.
Republican Trump and Modi enjoyed warm relations in Trump's first term, but during his campaign for re-election Trump called India a "very big abuser" on trade. Trump also threatened the BRICS group of nations, of which India is part, with tariffs if they did not accept his demand of committing to not create a new currency.
India is considering tariff cuts in at least a dozen sectors to boost US exports in line with New Delhi's domestic production plans, government officials say. Modi may also propose increased US energy and defense imports.
(Agencies)
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