Indian and U.S. diplomats are working to arrange a potential meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this February, sources familiar with the discussions revealed. The meeting aims to strengthen trade relations and address migration policies, particularly skilled worker visas, reflecting India's strategic partnership with the United States in countering China's influence.
While February remains a tentative timeline, sources indicated that a bilateral meeting could also occur later in the year, possibly during the annual Quad summit hosted by India, which includes the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
The return of President Trump to the White House has raised concerns in New Delhi over possible tariffs on Indian goods. Trump has previously criticized India's high tariffs on U.S. products and hinted at imposing reciprocal measures. However, India is reportedly open to offering trade concessions and creating incentives to attract U.S. investments.
In his previous term, Trump visited India in February 2020, where he was welcomed by over 100,000 people at a massive event in Ahmedabad. He also shared the stage with Modi at the 2019 "Howdy Modi" rally in Houston, attended by 50,000 Indian Americans.
The United States remains India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $118 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year. India maintained a trade surplus of $32 billion, further solidifying its economic ties with Washington.
Discussions between Modi and Trump are expected to cover critical areas, including technology, defense, and migration. While Trump has pledged to tighten measures against illegal immigration, he has expressed support for increasing legal migration of skilled workers—a priority for India, which accounts for the majority of U.S.-issued H-1B visas.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who attended Trump’s inauguration earlier this week, held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address concerns about irregular migration.
The potential meeting underscores the evolving dynamics of U.S.-India relations, particularly as the two nations seek to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation amidst global challenges.