Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Washington, D.C., on February 12 after his trip to France. During his stay until February 14, he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 13. Trump is also expected to host a dinner for Modi. Besides meeting the President, Modi will engage with American business leaders and the Indian community.
This visit comes shortly after Modi and Trump’s first phone call since Trump took office. The two leaders aim to strengthen U.S.-India ties, focusing on trade, defense, and strategic cooperation. Trump is keen on reducing the U.S. trade deficit with India and promoting American business interests. In response, India has shown readiness to buy more U.S. energy supplies and reduce tariffs on certain American goods.
During their phone call, Trump emphasized the need for India to buy more U.S.-made security equipment and work toward fair trade practices. The recent Indian budget has also made amendments to nuclear liability laws, allowing for further nuclear cooperation with the U.S.
Additionally, discussions are expected on illegal immigration. India has agreed to take back its citizens who entered the U.S. illegally once they are identified. However, the number of such individuals remains unclear, and the issue is politically sensitive, especially as many illegal immigrants are from Gujarat.
The U.S. and India are looking to deepen their defense and technology partnerships. Talks may include strengthening military cooperation and easing export control regulations for Indian defense purchases. The visit is also expected to highlight the importance of the Quad alliance (India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia) in regional security. Trump is likely to confirm his visit to India later this year for the Quad leaders’ summit.
The visit comes at a time when the U.S. administration has yet to fill important positions related to India. The State Department and the Pentagon are still missing key personnel, including the assistant secretary for South and Central Asia and a U.S. ambassador to India. Despite this, Trump’s National Security Council, led by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and senior official Ricky Gill, is managing the visit.
With limited time and many positions unfilled, the primary goal of Modi’s visit will be to strengthen his personal relationship with Trump, set future priorities, and align both governments on key issues. The meeting will help shape the next phase of U.S.-India relations, focusing on trade, defense, and technology cooperation.