In a phone call on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of India purchasing more American-made security equipment and advancing toward a fair bilateral trading relationship, according to a White House statement. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed immigration and plans for Modi to visit the U.S. in February.
The White House described the exchange as a "productive call," during which the leaders explored ways to deepen cooperation on security in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. Discussions about Modi's visit to the U.S. were initiated, with sources suggesting the meeting could take place as early as February.
While Trump and Modi shared warm relations during Trump’s first term, the U.S. president’s re-election campaign included criticism of India’s trade policies, labeling the country as a "very big abuser" in global trade. Trump previously threatened the BRICS nations, including India, with tariffs unless they committed to avoiding the creation of a new currency. Despite these tensions, Modi referred to Trump as a "dear friend" in a social media post, highlighting a commitment to a “mutually beneficial and trusted partnership.”
The call addressed key topics such as trade, energy, defense, technology, and investment. Modi affirmed India’s intention to work together for global peace, prosperity, and security. The leaders also reaffirmed their dedication to the Quad alliance, comprising the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, with India set to host a Quad summit later this year.
Immigration was another key issue, with Trump expressing confidence that Modi would "do what's right" in addressing the issue of Indian immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The Trump administration identified approximately 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants and is keen to address irregular migration while maintaining a pathway for legal migration, particularly for skilled workers.
India is known for its IT professionals, many of whom rely on the H-1B visa program. Trump, while cracking down on illegal immigration, has shown openness to skilled legal migration, which remains a significant point of collaboration between the two nations.
The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing $118 billion in 2023-24, and India maintaining a $32 billion trade surplus. As a key U.S. partner in countering China, India’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific continues to grow. Analysts suggest that Modi’s visit could pave the way for deeper collaboration, with Trump potentially attending the Quad summit as a reciprocal gesture.
India is also navigating U.S. sanctions on Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, as New Delhi maintains close ties with Moscow. Experts predict that managing these dynamics will remain central to India-U.S. relations in the near term.
As Modi and Trump prepare to meet, trade, security, and immigration are set to dominate the agenda, with both leaders seeking to strengthen ties while addressing contentious issues.