Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Washington on February 12, following his trip to Paris, for his first bilateral summit with US President Donald Trump after the latter’s recent inauguration. The meeting is expected to take place on February 13, with key discussions surrounding trade, immigration, and strategic partnerships.
Modi will first travel to France on February 10-11 to co-chair an AI summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. While Trump was invited, US Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the country at the event. With Trump skipping the Paris summit, the bilateral meeting with Modi has been scheduled in Washington.
Key Issues On The Agenda
During their first phone conversation since Trump’s second-term inauguration, the US President raised two sticking points in India-US ties:
• Trade Deficit – Trump emphasized the need for a fair trading relationship, aligning with his broader policy of reducing trade imbalances.
• Illegal Immigration – Trump expressed confidence that Modi would act responsibly on the issue, with India already confirming its stance of verifying and accepting undocumented Indian immigrants before deportation.
The meeting will also focus on deepening the India-US strategic partnership, particularly through Quad cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Exclusive White House Invite
Modi will be among the first world leaders to visit the White House under Trump’s new administration.
• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will be the first to meet Trump on Tuesday.
• Jordan’s King Abdullah II is expected to visit early next week.
Sources indicate that Trump may host a dinner for Modi, although no large community event is currently planned. A meeting with business leaders remains a possibility.
Trade & Defense Partnerships
India has sought to address trade concerns by reducing import tariffs on high-end motorcycles, which was a contentious issue in previous negotiations. The two leaders are expected to relaunch trade talks, including efforts to restore India’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits, which Trump had revoked in 2019 due to market access restrictions.
The Indian government is also looking for US reaffirmation on the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) to bolster defense industrial collaboration. India expects stronger convergence in technology transfers, as Trump’s first administration had committed to advancing US military technology to India.
Strategic Indo-Pacific Focus
Both nations view a robust India-US partnership as essential for maintaining a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. The meeting is expected to strengthen military and economic ties in countering China’s growing influence in the region.
With Trump prioritizing trade and immigration policies, and India emphasizing strategic cooperation, the upcoming visit is poised to set the tone for US-India relations under Trump’s new term.
