US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House next week, a White House official confirmed early Tuesday. The invitation comes shortly after a US military plane departed to return deported migrants to India.
On January 27, Trump and PM Modi held a conversation in which they discussed several key issues, including immigration, the importance of India purchasing more American-made security equipment, and fostering fair trade relations between the two countries.
India, a strategic ally of the United States in countering China, is eager to strengthen trade ties with the US and ease visa access for skilled workers. The country is also keen to avoid the tariffs that Trump has previously threatened, particularly due to India's high tariffs on US products.
In 2023/24, the US became India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing $118 billion. India recorded a trade surplus of $32 billion with the US during this period.
The Prime Minister's visit to the US will mark his first bilateral trip to the country since Trump took office for his second term. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C. on February 12 for a two-day meeting with Trump to discuss various aspects of the US-India relationship.
The visit will come after PM Modi’s stop in Paris, and he will be one of the few foreign leaders to visit Washington D.C. so soon after Trump’s inauguration. Earlier, Trump had hinted at PM Modi’s visit, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that the Prime Minister would be coming to the White House in February.
“I had a long talk with him this morning. He is going to be coming to the White House, probably next month, in February. We have a very good relationship with India,” Trump said, confirming the planned visit.
The two leaders have shared a strong bond, with PM Modi and Trump addressing large crowds at rallies in Houston in 2019 and Ahmedabad in 2020. PM Modi was also one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump after his victory in the 2024 presidential election.
(With inputs from agencies)
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
