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Modi to discuss trade, tech, defense with Trump on Feb 12
Modi’s visit to the US comes days after Trump sent back more than 100 undocumented Indians in a military plane.
File photo of Narendra Modi and Trump / Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will prioritize trade, technology, investment, and defense with Donald Trump during his visit to the US from Feb.12 to 13, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Feb.7. This is Modi’s first meeting with the US president since he returned to office.
The visit underscores the strong India-U.S. partnership, which Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described on Feb. 7 as "one of our strongest international partnerships in recent years”.
Announcing the agenda of the visit, Misri emphasized its significance, noting that Modi will be among the first world leaders to visit since Trump's inauguration.
"The fact that the Prime Minister has been invited within three weeks of the new administration taking office highlights the importance of this partnership," he said.
During his visit, Modi will engage in bilateral talks with Trump in both restricted and delegation-level formats. He will also meet senior U.S. officials, business leaders, and the Indian diaspora. The discussions will cover trade, investment, technology, defense, and people-to-people ties. "There is a clear convergence of interests between the two countries," Misri noted, highlighting economic and security cooperation.
Modi’s visit comes amid concerns over the recent deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the U.S., many of whom were reportedly flown back in handcuffs and shackles. Misri confirmed that India has raised concerns with U.S. authorities, stating, "We have registered our concern… this kind of treatment can perhaps be avoided."
India is also addressing the issue of illegal immigration networks. “Gangs deceive innocent people and take huge sums of money from them. Action is needed against such people," Misri stressed. He added that India is working closely with U.S. authorities to verify the identities of around 800 individuals awaiting deportation, ensuring due process.
Addressing the allegations of mistreatment toward deportees, “On the issue of mistreatment, it is a valid issue to raise, and we continue to emphasize to U.S. authorities that there should be no mistreatment of deportees. But this is a continuing exercise and conversation and we will continue to take up any instances of mistreatment that come to our attention. And then, of course, the last point, which is that action needs to be taken across the system against the underlying ecosystem that thrives on promoting illegal immigration.”
Modi’s trip is expected to reaffirm both nations’ commitment to economic growth, technological collaboration, and regional stability.
“This has been one of our strongest international partnerships in recent years,” Misri said during the media briefing. “You would recall that during the first term of President Trump, Prime Minister visited the United States on two occasions in 2017 and 2019. This time, after President Trump's election, Prime Minister was one of the first World leaders to call him and congratulate him. And after President Trump's inauguration, Prime Minister again called him to wish him. And it was on that occasion that they agreed to meet very soon. And that is the promise and the commitment that is now unfolding.”
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