PM Modi’s US Visit: Key Agendas on Trade, Immigration, and Defence

PM Modi’s US Visit: Key Discussions on Trade, Defence, Immigration, and Strategic Cooperation with President Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the United States for a two-day visit, marking another significant step in India-US relations. His arrival was met with an enthusiastic reception from the Indian-American diaspora at Blair House, the President’s Guest House. Braving freezing temperatures and rain, the community welcomed him with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai‘, ‘Vande Mataram‘, and ‘Modi Modi‘ while waving both Indian and American flags.

PM Modi is the fourth global leader to be welcomed by US President Donald Trump since his oath-taking last month. Thankful for the welcome, Modi tweeted on X, “A warm welcome in the chill of winter! Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora of Washington DC gave me a very special welcome. My thankfulness to them.”

The visit is politically important as PM Modi and President Trump will be holding high-stakes bilateral discussions at the White House. The two leaders will meet at 2:35 am (IST) and address a press briefing at 3:40 am (IST). With global trade policy, defence collaboration, and immigration on the agenda, the visit is likely to outline key domains of India-US relations.

Key Issues on the Table

Trade and Tariffs

Trade relations between the US and India will be among the major issues of discussion. Trump’s ‘America First’ policy has created concerns in New Delhi, and PM Modi is expected to find a means to prevent retaliatory trade actions against India. Rumors are afloat that both countries can consider a trade agreement to liberalize high tariffs and expand the basket of trade. India is willing to lower tariffs in some areas in exchange for corresponding concessions by relaxing some of the US trade restrictions. While leaders are not supposed to negotiate specific tariff adjustments, they will look at a broad trade environment.

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Defence and Strategic Cooperation

The second area of emphasis during the visit is strengthening defence ties. The US has been one of India’s major defence suppliers, and talks can center on joint military training, technology transfer, and potential defence collaborations. The Indo-Pacific theatre is likely to be the key agenda, with both nations having stakes in China’s expansion in the region. Developments in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia may also feature in the talks as part of the strategic trade.

Immigration Policies

The issue of immigration will also be raised, as Trump’s policies have come directly against Indian professionals working in the US. H-1B visa regulations and other issues related to immigration that have affected Indian nationals will likely be tabled. The summit can provide a way out to easing curbs on qualified Indian professionals, to the benefit of professionals and enterprises from both countries.

+Energy Collaboration

Energy cooperation is another extremely significant area of negotiations. India and the US are expected to negotiate possibilities of expanding energy trade, such as investment in clean energy and civil nuclear cooperation. It has been reported that India is particularly interested in collaborating on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for expanding its nuclear energy base. Strengthening energy relationship may also involve negotiating LNG (liquefied natural gas) imports and technology exchange for clean energy solutions.

Technology and Investment

In addition to government-to-government negotiations, PM Modi will also be meeting with technology titans, including Elon Musk. Modi and Musk reportedly go over Starlink’s highly anticipated entry into the Indian market. India is willing to drive its tech industry forward through investments in AI, chip-making, and space exploration, so this is a must-have in the visit.

Security and Intelligence Cooperation

On his arrival, PM Modi welcomed US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to address issues of intelligence cooperation, particularly on counter-terrorism and emerging security challenges. Both nations must enhance channels of intelligence sharing to address the needs of global security.

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What This Visit Means for India-US Relations

Though no particular deals will be sealed within this short visit, the tone and optics of the meeting will set the stage for future collaboration. The meeting between Modi and Trump will most probably reaffirm the close chemistry between the two leaders, both of whom will try to project a positive trajectory of bilateral relations. The visit will be watched anxiously for its implications on trade, immigration, and defence cooperation, which are of enduring significance for both nations.

As PM Modi’s visit unfolds, all eyes will be on how these discussions translate into actionable policies, shaping the future of India-US relations in the coming years.

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