Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. aims to strengthen ties, tackle trade issues, and deepen defence and technology cooperation.
February 3, 2025: Washington, DC: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13 during his visit to Washington, D.C., marking a key bilateral engagement between the two leaders. The meeting comes amid heightened trade tensions and ongoing discussions on defense and technology cooperation.
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PM Modi will arrive in Washington on the evening of February 12, following a visit to France, and will stay until February 14. During his visit, he is also expected to engage with American corporate leaders and the Indian diaspora.
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Early Dialogue Sets the Tone
The upcoming visit follows a recent phone call between the two leaders, during which President Trump highlighted the importance of India increasing purchases of U.S.-made security equipment and fostering a fair trade relationship. Trump also emphasized reducing the U.S. trade deficit with India, signaling a more aggressive approach to commercial interests.
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India has already taken steps to address U.S. trade concerns, including reducing customs duties on key items and signaling a willingness to amend nuclear liability legislation to enable greater commercial cooperation. These developments could pave the way for discussions on further economic collaboration during the visit.
Key Focus Areas
The Modi-Trump meeting is expected to address several critical issues, including:
- Trade Balances: Exploring measures to reduce trade deficits and boost bilateral commerce.
- Defense Cooperation: Enhancing interoperability between the two nations’ militaries and discussing export control regulations tied to Indian defense acquisitions.
- Technology Partnership: Reaffirming commitment to critical and emerging technologies under existing or new frameworks.
- Immigration: Addressing the politically sensitive issue of illegal immigration, particularly concerning undocumented Indians in the U.S.
Strengthening Strategic Alliances
The visit will also reaffirm the importance of the Quad alliance, with discussions likely to center around Indo-Pacific security and collaboration. Trump is expected to commit to visiting India later this year for the Quad leaders’ summit.
Logistical Challenges
The U.S. administration faces challenges due to unfilled key positions on the India account, including roles in the State Department and Pentagon. Despite these gaps, the visit’s primary aim is to re-establish the personal rapport between the leaders and outline a roadmap for future collaboration.
With National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Senior Director for South and Central Asia Ricky Gill leading the U.S. delegation, the visit is poised to reinforce strategic ties and address shared priorities.
Tags:
- India-U.S. Relations
- PM Modi U.S. Visit
- Trump-Modi Meeting
- U.S.-India Trade Talks
- Quad Alliance
- Defence Cooperation