Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington from February 12 to 13, as confirmed by India’s foreign ministry on Friday. This visit marks one of the first by a global leader following Trump’s recent inauguration.
Vikram Misri, India’s top career diplomat, highlighted the strong rapport between Modi and Trump, emphasizing the importance of the visit for strengthening bilateral ties. “The visit will provide a valuable opportunity to engage with the new administration on areas of mutual interest,” Misri stated, noting that Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Trump.
Despite the close relationship, the two leaders have yet to achieve a breakthrough on a long-pending U.S.-India trade agreement. During a phone call last month, Trump reportedly urged Modi to ensure “fair” trade relations, reflecting his broader trade agenda. The leaders also discussed enhancing the Quad alliance, which includes Australia and Japan, as a strategic counterbalance to China. India is scheduled to host the Quad leaders later this year.
Modi and Trump have maintained a warm relationship since Trump’s presidency began in 2017. Modi visited the U.S. in 2017 and 2019, while Trump attended a large rally in Modi’s home state of Gujarat during his 2020 visit to India. The two leaders also shared the stage at a major event in Houston, Texas, showcasing their camaraderie.
Misri underscored the alignment of interests between the two nations, spanning trade, investment, technology, defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, and Indo-Pacific security. “This partnership has been one of India’s strongest in recent years,” he added.
The meeting follows a recent U.S. military operation that repatriated 104 Indian migrants, part of Trump’s immigration policy reforms. India’s foreign ministry reiterated its stance against illegal migration, linking it to organized crime. However, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar noted that deportations are not new, with over 15,000 Indians deported from the U.S. since 2009, nearly half of them between 2019 and 2024.
Despite India’s status as the world’s fifth-largest economy and its impressive GDP growth, many citizens continue to seek better opportunities abroad, with hundreds of thousands emigrating annually. Modi’s upcoming visit aims to further solidify the strategic partnership between India and the U.S., addressing key issues and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
