Trump Welcomes Indian Prime Minister Modi to the White House
Global leaders are anticipated to engage in discussions on defense, energy, and trade during their bilateral talks.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump will welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House on Thursday.
This marks the first meeting between the two heads of state since Trump returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue last month.
Topics of discussion will encompass defense, trade, energy, infrastructure, and regional collaborations, among others, a senior administration official informed reporters on Feb. 13.
“We foresee a more robust defense partnership,” the official mentioned. “We possess the capability to effectively energize the Indian economy through U.S. energy exports.”
Trade is poised to be a significant agenda item as the Trump administration prepares to implement reciprocal tariff measures affecting multiple countries, including India.
During the meeting, Trump is expected to encourage India to increase its purchases of U.S. products.
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“The U.S. currently has a 2-to-1 trade deficit with India,” Richard Rossow, a senior adviser and chair of India and emerging Asia economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted in a recent analysis.
“India has relatively high trade barriers, significantly raised during Modi’s initial term. Nonetheless, India is experiencing similar—and even greater—pressures to boost its own manufacturing base.”
Establishing a technological partnership that enhances semiconductor production and strengthens supply chain resilience is a top priority for the Trump administration to ensure that “critical supply chains and technologies cannot be weaponized,” the senior official indicated.
A bilateral trade agreement is anticipated within the current calendar year, incorporating new defense procurement and reinforcing India’s national security while addressing the U.S. trade deficit.
To advance security initiatives, the leaders aim to enhance the Quad partnership—which includes the United States, India, Japan, and Australia—“to foster stability and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”
India’s diplomatic ties with European nations and others globally may also provide strategic advantages in negotiating a resolution to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
With its vast reserves of rare earth elements, India presents a significant opportunity for the United States to decrease its reliance on China.
Countering China through a partnership between the United States and India is considered a “core part of our national security focus,” according to the White House official, who referred to the U.S.-India relationship as “one of the most critical, if not the most critical, bilateral relationships of the 21 st century.”
Since assuming office on Jan. 20, Trump has hosted a series of world leaders, with Modi being the fourth to visit the White House.
