Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the White House next week for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The discussions will primarily focus on trade, defense cooperation, and immigration.
Modi is scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., on February 12 after wrapping up his visit to France. He will remain in the US capital until February 14, during which he is also expected to interact with business leaders and members of the Indian-American community.
The two leaders last spoke on January 27, with Trump reportedly emphasizing India’s need to purchase more American-made defense equipment and work toward a more balanced trade relationship.
As a key US partner in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific, India is eager to strengthen trade relations and secure better access for skilled Indian workers in the US. Additionally, India hopes to prevent potential tariffs, as Trump has previously criticized the country’s high import duties on American goods.
The US remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $118 billion in 2023/24. However, India's $32 billion trade surplus has been a sticking point for the Trump administration, which aims to reduce trade imbalances.
Sources familiar with the talks indicate that Trump seeks greater commitments from India on trade reforms, including increased energy imports and amendments to nuclear liability laws to boost commercial collaboration.
Trump has also linked immigration to bilateral relations, urging Modi to facilitate the return of Indian migrants deported from the US. This issue was underscored by a recent US military flight carrying deported migrants back to India.
On the strategic front, the two nations are expected to reaffirm their commitments under the Quad alliance, with a focus on enhancing military interoperability and technology-sharing. Reports suggest that Washington may reconsider export control restrictions on India’s defense procurements.
The visit comes amid delays in appointing key US officials for India-related roles at the State Department and Pentagon. The Trump administration has yet to name an ambassador to India, leaving major diplomatic positions unfilled.
Despite these challenges, officials view the visit as an opportunity for Modi and Trump to strengthen personal ties, outline strategic goals, and guide future cooperation. Trump is also expected to visit India later this year for the Quad leaders’ summit.
