PM Modi to Visit US, Meet Trump Amid Trade, Defense, and Immigration Talks

PM Modi to meet Trump, discuss trade, defense, immigration, attends AI summit in France first

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United States on February 12 for a two-day trip, where he will meet President Donald Trump to discuss key issues like trade, defense, and immigration. This will be Modi’s first bilateral visit to the US since Trump’s re-election in November. The visit comes at a crucial time, as the two nations aim to strengthen their partnership amid growing global challenges.

Before heading to the US, Modi will attend an artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, on February 10-11. The summit will focus on the future of AI, with global leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance, in attendance. Modi’s participation highlights India’s growing role in technology and innovation, setting the stage for his talks with Trump on boosting tech and defense ties.

Trade and defense are expected to dominate Modi’s discussions with Trump. India is the US’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding 118 billion 2023−2024.However,India’s32 billion trade surplus has been a point of tension. Trump has previously criticized India’s high import duties on US goods and threatened tariffs. Modi is likely to address these concerns while seeking easier access to skilled worker visas for Indians.

Immigration is another key issue on the agenda. Recently, the Trump administration deported over 1,100 Indian illegal immigrants, marking the first such operation since Trump’s return to the White House. A US military aircraft was used for the deportation, reflecting the administration’s strict immigration policies. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have raised concerns about illegal Indian immigration in talks with Indian officials, emphasizing the need for cooperation.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated India’s stance, stating that the country opposes illegal immigration and is open to taking back its citizens found living illegally in the US. The Ministry of External Affairs has described the deportations as part of regular consular discussions between the two nations.

As Modi prepares for his US visit, the focus will be on finding common ground on trade, defense, and immigration. The outcome of these talks could shape the future of US-India relations, which remain vital for both countries in addressing global challenges and fostering economic growth. 

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.