PM Narendra Modi’s Historic Visit to Trump White House: Key Agendas & Strategic Discussions

In an unprecedented diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Trump White House on February 12-13, marking the earliest an Indian Prime Minister has visited a newly elected US President. Donald Trump, now in the fourth week of his second presidency, has so far met only Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. With a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah also on the agenda, Modi’s visit underscores the strategic importance India holds for the United States.

Strengthening Personal Rapport Amidst New Challenges

Narendra Modi and Trump share a unique camaraderie built over the years, notably from their Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2019, where Modi famously endorsed Trump with the slogan, “Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar.” Trump, in turn, was overwhelmed by the grand reception in Ahmedabad during his 2020 visit to India.

However, Trump’s second term is set on a more aggressive agenda. His policies on trade tariffs, immigration, and China have raised concerns globally, and for India, this meeting is crucial in shaping future engagements.

Immigration and Deportation Concerns

A significant point of discussion will be the ongoing deportation of illegal Indian immigrants. Recently, the US deported 104 Indian citizens in shackles, triggering strong criticism in India. With an estimated 7.25 lakh illegal Indian immigrants in the US, and 20,000 facing potential deportation, India is looking for assurances regarding the humane treatment of its citizens.

India has formally expressed concerns over the mistreatment of deportees and is expected to push for better conditions in deportation processes. More importantly, Narendra Modi will seek reassurances that legal immigration routes for students, skilled professionals, and tourists remain unaffected.

Trade Wars and Tariff Negotiations

For Trump, tariffs remain his most potent economic tool. Just before Narendra Modi’s visit, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports, affecting Indian exporters. He has long criticized India as a “tariff king”, citing imbalances in trade relations. With bilateral trade exceeding $200 billion, the trade surplus favoring India—estimated at $40-50 billion—has irked Trump, who seeks better market access for American companies.

A pragmatic approach from India would be to negotiate a fair trade deal that balances market access while protecting domestic industries. Narendra Modi’s government has already reduced tariffs on high-end motorcycles and electric batteries to ease trade tensions, a move aimed at smoothening discussions during the upcoming visit.

Strategic Alignment on China: The Binding Factor

Trump’s administration has historically viewed China as the US’s biggest strategic rival. Under his first term, he became the first US President to officially designate China as a geopolitical threat. India shares similar concerns, especially with China’s increasing assertiveness along its borders.

During Trump’s first term, India, the US, Japan, and Australia revived the Quad Alliance, a strategic coalition aimed at countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. As Trump enters his second term, India will push for continuity in defense cooperation, including military hardware purchases and technological collaborations in critical fields such as AI, space, and quantum computing.

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