The meeting, if finalised, is expected to strengthen ties between the two strategic partners, particularly in countering China, boosting trade relations, and easing skilled worker visa processes. These are key items likely to feature on the agenda, the sources said.
Trump’s return to the White House has raised concerns in New Delhi about the potential for new tariffs on Indian goods. During his previous term, Trump criticised India for imposing high tariffs on US products and suggested a reciprocal approach.
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However, as per the report, sources revealed that India is prepared to make some concessions to ease trade frictions and is open to offering incentives to attract US investment. While there has been no formal communication from Washington about imposing tariffs, Indian officials believe early dialogue could set a constructive tone for Trump’s new term.
Trump last visited India in February 2020, where he was welcomed by over 100,000 people at a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, Modi’s home state. The visit featured promises of an “incredible trade deal”. Earlier, in 2019, both leaders shared the stage at the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, which drew a crowd of 50,000, mostly Indian Americans.
Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday, is laying the groundwork for the meeting. Jaishankar also met US secretary of state Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral issues.
The United States remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $118 billion in 2023-24. India recorded a trade surplus of $32 billion during the period. Enhanced cooperation in technology and defence is expected to be another focal point of the Modi-Trump talks.
Migration policies are also anticipated to feature in the discussions. While Trump has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration, he has expressed support for legal migration of skilled workers. India, which accounts for the majority of US-issued H-1B visas, is keen to secure favourable conditions for its IT professionals.
Rubio and Jaishankar addressed issues related to “irregular migration” during their meeting, the US state department said.
If confirmed, the Modi-Trump meeting could mark a critical step in advancing Indo-US ties amid evolving global dynamics.
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