Modi-Trump meet: India's 'major defence partner' status to be put to test

Leaders to discuss the proposed $2-bn sale of Guardian remotely piloted vehicles to India

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump for the first time on Monday in Washington DC, healthy defence ties between the two countries are expected to buoy the discussions.

Key issues that will be discussed include: Operationalising India’s unique status as a “major defence partner” of America; the proposed $2-billion sale of Guardian remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) to India; and negotiation of a security agreement that would allow the US to import sensitive communications equipment to India.

Officials on both sides are playing down expectations of concrete outcomes, given the unpredictability of Trump and Modi. “I don’t