Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived on a visit to Washington, where he will meet US President Donald Trump and discuss with him the development of the partnership between the two countries.
Modi wrote on X:
“Landed in Washington DC a short while ago. Looking forward to meeting @POTUS Donald Trump and building upon the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
He said India and the US will “continue to work closely together for the benefit of people and for a better future for our planet.”
One of the first contacts during Modi’s visit to Washington was his meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The Indian prime minister said he discussed with her “various aspects of India-US friendship, of which she has always been an ardent supporter.”
As the South Asian republic’s foreign ministry earlier reported, Modi’s stay in Washington will last two days. During his visit, he will hold bilateral talks with Trump as well as at the delegation level. Trade, defence, energy, migration, technology are on the agenda.
India-US relations
India is keen to strengthen trade relations with the US, which is its largest trading partner. According to Reuters, bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $118 billion in 2023/24, with India’s trade surplus with America totalling $32 billion.
New Delhi also intends to make it easier for its citizens to obtain visas for skilled workers. India views the US as a partner in its efforts to contain China. In this regard, Trump and Modi, in a telephone conversation, stressed their commitment to the Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD) grouping of the US and India, as well as Australia and Japan. India will host QUAD leaders later this year.
The White House announced the invitation to the Indian prime minister to visit the US hours after a US military plane flew to India to bring back deported migrants to the country. Before the 2016 election, Trump included India among the countries he accused of stealing American jobs. However, Modi and Trump had a good relationship during the current US president’s first legislature.
During the current election campaign, Trump called India a “very big trade abuser” and vowed to use tariffs on imports to redress the imbalance. Trump has also threatened the BRICS group of countries, which includes India, with 100 per cent duties on imports if they try to replace the dollar in international trade.
