Last Updated on February 14, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
India-US ties in focus as leaders discuss trade, tariffs, and global conflicts in Washington
February 14, 2025: PM Modi and Donald Trump Strengthen Ties, Discuss Trade & Global Issues
Washington, D.C.:
In a high-profile diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met today at the White House for their first bilateral meeting since Trump’s return to office for a second term. PM Modi is among the first global leaders to visit Washington following Trump’s electoral win, marking a key moment in India-US relations.
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The meeting is expected to cover a wide range of topics, with a sharp focus on trade, tariffs, and immigration, as both leaders aim to boost economic cooperation while addressing global geopolitical challenges.
“A Great Friendship”: Modi and Trump’s Vision for Stronger India-US Relations
The meeting began with a warm handshake and an embrace, setting the stage for a discussion on deepening strategic and economic ties. PM Modi praised Trump’s leadership, stating,
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“I appreciate how President Trump always keeps his country first. I do the same—that is something we have in common.”
To this, Trump responded,
“He (PM Modi) is doing a great job in India, and we share a great friendship. We will continue to build on the ties between our nations.”
The camaraderie between the two leaders was evident, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening the India-US partnership.
PM @narendramodi and @POTUS @realDonaldTrump held productive discussions in Washington DC. They deliberated on ways to strengthen the India-US partnership across various sectors. pic.twitter.com/pVFmr8QsGE
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 13, 2025
Trade Talks Amid Reciprocal Tariffs Announcement
Despite the positive diplomatic tone, trade negotiations took center stage, especially after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on all nations—including India—just an hour before the bilateral talks.
“Prime Minister Modi is a great leader,” Trump said, while emphasizing,
“We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”
India is one of the top nations affected by these new US tariffs, making PM Modi’s priority during the meeting clear—to negotiate favorable trade terms and avoid economic roadblocks that could affect Indian exports.
Apart from trade, discussions also covered foreign investment, energy cooperation, defense collaboration, technology, visas, and immigration policies.
Also Read: Trump Announces Sale of F-35 Fighter Jets to India Amid Strengthening Ties with PM Modi
India’s Stand On Russia-Ukraine War & Bangladesh Crisis
Apart from economic issues, global conflicts also made their way into the discussions. When asked about US involvement in Bangladesh, Trump denied any deep-state interference, stating,
“The US has not been involved in Bangladesh. I am leaving the Bangladesh issue to PM Modi to resolve.”
Regarding India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to peace, saying,
“I support Donald Trump’s efforts toward finding a possible solution to end the war. The world sees India as neutral, but I want to clarify—India is not neutral, we stand on the side of peace.”
He further cited his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating,
“This is not the era for war. Solutions cannot be found on the battlefield, but only through dialogue.”
Modi’s 10th US Visit, Strengthening A Decade-Long Relationship
This marks PM Modi’s 10th visit to the United States as Prime Minister and his fourth meeting with Trump as President. Notably, he was previously hosted at a ceremonial state visit by Joe Biden in 2024, reflecting the continuity of strong India-US relations across different administrations.
Since his first US visit in 2014, Modi has consistently prioritized deepening India-US strategic ties, particularly in trade, defense, and technology sectors.
With both leaders sharing a nationalist approach, their discussions are set to shape the next phase of the India-US alliance—one that balances economic partnerships with geopolitical diplomacy.
What’s Next?
As the bilateral talks continue, all eyes are on the potential trade agreements that could emerge from this high-stakes meeting. With Trump pushing reciprocal tariffs, India is likely to push for concessions in trade policies while also securing investments in defense and technology.
With the Quad Summit and further diplomatic engagements on the horizon, today’s meeting marks a crucial moment in shaping global alliances for the coming years.
Tags: PMModi, DonaldTrump, IndiaUSRelations, TradeDeals, Tariffs, Immigration, GlobalDiplomacy
