Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the United States for his inaugural meeting with President Donald Trump during the latter’s second presidential term, taking place from February 12 to 13. The discussions are anticipated to focus primarily on trade, investment, and security cooperation. This meeting occurs in the context of President Trump’s recent encouragement for India to procure additional military equipment manufactured in the United States and to foster a more equitable trading relationship. Additionally, the recent deportation of 104 undocumented immigrants from the United States has emerged as a significant topic of discussion in India.
Prior to his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Modi will be in France from February 10 to 12 to co-chair the AI Action Summit alongside President Emmanuel Macron. According to sources familiar with the trip’s arrangements, Modi is expected to reside at Blair House, the official guest house of the U.S. President in Washington. Meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz have been confirmed, while discussions are ongoing regarding a potential meeting with Elon Musk.
Modi will be among the first global leaders to visit the United States following Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated at a media briefing on Friday that the invitation for the Prime Minister to visit Washington within three weeks of the new administration’s assumption of office underscores the significance of the India-U.S. partnership and reflects the bipartisan support it enjoys in the United States. Misri emphasized that this visit presents a valuable opportunity to engage with the new U.S. administration across various domains, with “intense discussions” anticipated on trade and investment, which are expected to be priority issues during the talks. Additionally, defense and security cooperation will be a crucial component of the agenda.
The Prime Minister will engage in bilateral discussions with President Trump in both restricted and delegation-level formats, with senior U.S. administration officials also expected to participate. Modi will have the opportunity to interact with business leaders and members of the Indian community during his visit.
A joint statement is anticipated to be released at the conclusion of the visit. Misri remarked, “This has been one of our strongest international partnerships in recent years. The Prime Minister’s visit aligns with our ongoing engagement with the new administration following President Trump’s election in November 2024.”
During Trump’s first term, Modi visited the United States in 2017 and 2019, and he was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump following his election victory last year. After Trump’s inauguration, Modi reached out again to extend his best wishes, and the two leaders agreed to meet soon during that conversation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented the Indian government at Trump’s inauguration, and the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington on January 21 marked the first foreign policy engagement of the Trump administration. There have also been interactions between the defense ministers and national security advisors of both nations.
Misri noted, “There has been a strong rapport between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi dating back to the former’s first term, and there exists a clear convergence of interests between the two countries across various areas, including trade, investment, technology, defense cooperation, counterterrorism, the security of the Indo-Pacific, and people-to-people relations.”
The Prime Minister’s visit to the United States is expected to provide “further direction and impetus to this very important partnership,” Misri stated.
However, this trip occurs amid growing concerns in India regarding the recent deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States. A U.S. military aircraft arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday, with reports and images indicating that many individuals on board were shackled or handcuffed during the 40-hour flight.
In response to inquiries regarding Trump’s recent comments about utilizing the U.S. military to take control of the Gaza Strip and develop it as the “Riviera of the Middle East,” Misri stated, “Regarding the Gaza Strip, you are aware of our longstanding position on the issue of Palestine, which has not changed.” India has consistently advocated for an end to hostilities, the resumption of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, and the initiation of dialogue aimed at achieving a two-state solution.
