India-US Ties Strengthen As Modi Becomes One Of The First Leaders To Meet Trump Post Re-Election.
February 14, 2025: Trump Greets PM Modi With Warm Embrace At White House, Says “We Missed You”
Washington, DC – In a moment of camaraderie and diplomatic warmth, US President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House with a hug, saying, “We missed you a lot.” The two leaders, who have shared a strong rapport over the years, met as part of Modi’s official visit to the United States, making him one of the first global leaders invited following Trump’s return to the presidency.
Also Read: Trump’s ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ Plan Looms Over PM Modi Meeting: A New Trade War?
Behind The Scenes At The White House
As PM Modi arrived at the West Wing lobby of the White House, the Indian delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, accompanied him. Ahead of Modi’s visit, the White House was adorned with Indian flags, setting the stage for crucial bilateral discussions.
Also Read: PM Modi to Meet Elon Musk in Washington: Tesla’s India Entry Likely to be Discussed
An excellent meeting with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump at the White House. Our talks will add significant momentum to the India-USA friendship! pic.twitter.com/lS7o4768yi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2025
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a behind-the-scenes picture of the moment, posting on X (formerly Twitter),
“Behind the scenes in the West Wing lobby – @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse.”
Strengthening India-US Relations
PM Modi’s visit comes at a pivotal moment in India-US relations, as both nations look to deepen cooperation in trade, defense, technology, and strategic affairs. Since Trump’s re-election in November 2024, the two leaders have spoken twice over the phone, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar representing India at Trump’s inauguration.
Prior to his White House meeting, PM Modi also held crucial discussions with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. These meetings are expected to shape future collaborations between the two nations.
Washington DC’s Grand Welcome For PM Modi
Ahead of Modi’s arrival, mobile billboard trucks in Washington, DC, displayed messages highlighting the strong US-India alliance. The billboards read:
✔ “Paving the Path for Progress: US-India Alliance in Developing a Skilled Workforce”
✔ “Pillars of Friendship, Pathways of Progress”
Modi’s US visit follows his three-day trip to France, during which he met US Vice President JD Vance. In a lighter moment, Modi shared gifts with Vance’s children and personally wished his son, Vivek, a happy birthday, underscoring the warm ties between the two nations.
What’s Next?
The Modi-Trump bilateral talks are expected to focus on:
✔ Trade agreements and reciprocal tariffs
✔ Defense and military cooperation, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets
✔ Technological partnerships, including Tesla’s entry into India
✔ Immigration policies and visa reforms
With both leaders known for their nationalist policies and strategic diplomacy, the India-US partnership is set to witness a new phase of collaboration. Stay tuned for key takeaways from their discussions!
Tags: PMModi, TrumpModiMeet, USIndiaRelations, WhiteHouse, BilateralTies, GlobalDiplomacy,
Last Updated on February 14, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
