Washington DC, USA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Washington DC for a crucial two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with the United States. The visit comes amid concerns in India over US President Donald Trump’s "America First" trade policy and its immigration stance.
Prime Minister Modi is set to hold important discussions with President Donald Trump on Thursday, marking their first bilateral talks since Trump began his second term in office last month. These talks are expected to address several critical issues affecting India-US relations.
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Modi will be staying at Blair House, the US presidential guest house located in the heart of Washington, during his visit.
Focus on trade, tariffs
With President Trump’s tariff policies creating waves globally, a key concern for Prime Minister Modi is preventing any harmful trade actions by the US against India. Sources familiar with India-US relations suggest that both countries may explore the possibility of a trade agreement to avoid high tariffs and expand their overall trade partnership.
The two leaders are likely to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including trade, defence, energy, technology, and immigration.
Sensitive issues on agenda
While sector-specific agreements may arise from the talks, much attention will be on the broader impact of the meeting, especially given the personal rapport between Modi and Trump. Sensitive topics like immigration and tariffs are expected to dominate the discussions.
Modi’s visit comes after the Trump administration deported 104 Indian nationals, an incident that sparked strong reactions in India. India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, reassured the public that the Indian government is in contact with the US to ensure fair treatment of deported individuals.
Trade tensions, tariff concerns
Another significant issue expected to be discussed is trade, particularly in light of Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. These tariffs, which apply to both rivals and allies, are likely to affect Indian firms that export these products to the US.
India has indicated a more conciliatory approach to this matter compared to its stance during Trump’s first term. The Indian government may be willing to reduce tariffs in several sectors, provided there is reciprocal action from the US.
India-US bilateral trade
In 2024, the bilateral trade between India and the US reached approximately USD 130 billion, and both leaders are expected to focus on further enhancing this relationship. Discussions may also touch upon global issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine, and developments in West Asia.
Earlier in January, Modi and Trump spoke on the phone, reaffirming their commitment to building a "trusted" partnership focused on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, and defence. The White House also highlighted the importance of India purchasing more US-made security equipment and moving toward a fairer trade relationship.
Energy cooperation is expected to be another area of focus. In early February, India announced plans to amend its nuclear liability law and establish a nuclear energy mission. These moves could pave the way for deeper civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs).
Modi’s global engagements
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington after a visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Modi’s visit makes him the fourth foreign leader to meet President Trump since the start of his second term. In the past month, Trump has already hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
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Published: 13 Feb 2025, 06:24 am IST
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