U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Tuesday about how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in U.S. nuclear technology, the White House said.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
The meeting between Vance and Modi in Paris on Tuesday, where they were both attending an artificial intelligence summit, came ahead of the prime minister's U.S. 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.
KEY QUOTE
Modi and Vance "discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in clean, reliable U.S. nuclear technology," the White House said in a statement.
In a post on X, Modi said he and Vance "had a great conversation on various subjects."
CONTEXT
Strict liabilities under India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, had hampered implementation of an India-U.S. nuclear deal that envisaged participation of U.S. power plant makers such as General Electric and Westinghouse.
RECENT CALL AND TRUMP COMMENTS
Republican Trump and right-wing Hindu nationalist 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.
