PM Modi Commences Two-Day Visit to the US
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Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Washington for a two-day visit, marking his first in-person meeting with President Donald Trump since the latter's return to power. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations focusing on trade and energy.
Key Takeaways
- Modi arrives in Washington for a pivotal visit.
- First in-person meeting with Trump post-re-election.
- Focus on trade and energy discussions.
- Strong India-US partnership emphasized.
- Significant Indian community in the US strengthens ties.
Washington, Feb 13 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Wednesday evening in a snow-covered capital for a two-day US visit centered on his first in-person meeting with President Donald Trump following the latter's return to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
The Prime Minister, who flew in from France where he attended the AI summit and engaged in bilateral discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, was welcomed at the airport by Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and other officials. He will spend the night at Blair House, a US government facility located less than 100 meters from the White House, and is anticipated to meet with government officials and business leaders.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi will engage with President Donald Trump for bilateral discussions, culminating in a dinner that will include only a select number of guests.
Topics such as trade and energy are expected to be prominent in their discussions, which will take place on Thursday noon (early Friday morning in India). The results will be made public in a joint statement shortly after their meetings.
Until then, the Prime Minister will conduct bilateral meetings with officials from Trump's administration and business leaders.
Prime Minister Modi and President Trump share a cordial and strong rapport. They jointly addressed a "Howdy Modi" rally in Houston, Texas, in 2019, and the Indian leader welcomed the President in his home state of Gujarat in 2020 with a "Namaste Trump" rally in Ahmedabad.
"You have done a great honour to the American people. Melania and my family will always cherish this remarkable hospitality. We will remember it forever. From this day on, India will always hold a very special place in our hearts," President Trump remarked during his address at the Ahmedabad rally.
Prime Minister Modi will be one of the first foreign leaders to meet with President Trump after his return to the White House. His initial meeting was with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan's King Abdullah II.
PM Modi and Trump had their first conversation shortly after the latter's re-election in November 2024, followed by another dialogue after the American leader took the oath of office.
A visit to the White House for the Prime Minister was discussed during this call, as stated in a readout from the White House, and the announcement confirming it came soon after.
"The Prime Minister's invitation to visit the US within barely three weeks of the new administration taking office underscores the significance of the India-US partnership and reflects the bipartisan support it enjoys in the United States," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed reporters during a special briefing concerning the visit and the preceding trip to France.
"This visit will provide a valuable opportunity to engage with the new administration on all areas of mutual interest," he added.
"There is a clear convergence of interests between the two nations across several sectors, such as trade, investment, technology, defense collaboration, counter-terrorism, security in the Indo-Pacific, and of course, people-to-people relations," he further stated, adding, "The 5.4 million-strong Indian community in the US and over 350,000 Indian students pursuing studies in US universities significantly enhance this bond."
The Prime Minister's visit will conclude an intense period of Indian engagement under the Trump administration.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended President Trump's inauguration, including a private, off-camera prayer meeting and subsequent celebrations.
The next day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed him as the first counterpart to meet and visit him at the State Department. Recently, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a phone conversation.
