Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump commenced their bilateral talks at the White House, which is expected to focus on tariffs, immigration, and other key strategic issues. This meeting marks their first official interaction since Trump assumed office for his second term.
The meeting takes place just hours after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on all countries, including India, matching the duties imposed on US goods. Additionally, it also happens in the middle of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, with the first batch already reported to have been deported to India, and two other batches scheduled.
The two leaders are expected to discuss free and fair trade, immigration, and energy, and will also be signing a new defense framework. The talks are also likely to focus on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations and on geopolitical issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today’s meetings with PM Modi and his government will build up on the accomplishments of the last Trump administration and the two leaders will focus on key areas of defence, trade, energy infrastructure, regional partnerships,” a senior White House administration official said ahead of the meeting.
This is the first bilateral talks between the two leaders and PM Modi will be the fourth foreign leader after Trump assumed the presidency for a second term last month.
Ahead of the meeting with the US President, PM Modi held back-to-back meetings with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the Trump Administration, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramanswamy.