New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a crucial diplomatic visit to the United States from February 12-13, marking his first bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump since the latter’s re-election. On the heels of the AI Summit hosted by Prime Minister Modi in Paris on February 10-11, this visit is expected to be centered around trade, defense, nuclear collaboration, and overall strategic engagement between the two countries.
High-Level Talks with President Trump
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, while announcing the visit, highlighted that Modi would be among the first world leaders to engage with President Trump in his second term—an indication of the strong bipartisan support for India-US relations.
Modi’s program in the US involves limited delegation-based consultations with Trump, meeting with leading business people and a meeting with the Indian community on February 13th (i.e., 2017). On the other hand, the officials did not respond to any reports and rumors of any alleged meeting between Modi and billionaire businessman Elon Musk.
Trade Talks & Economic Collaboration
Although Misri did not say if the negotiation that had been started under the first term of Trump would go on, he stressed that trade and investment discussions will be a main focus.
India is particularly interested in the *restoration of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), a trade benefit revoked by the previous Trump administration. This would give advantages to Indian export in the US market.
Additionally, bilateral discussions are expected to advance negotiations on the *joint development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—a move that could bolster India’s clean energy and nuclear power capabilities.
Defense & Indo-Pacific Strategy
In addition to trade, the defense relationship between the two countries is likely to be a significant topic of discussion. Modi and Trump will discuss how to enhance military relations, anti-terrorism measures and the Indo-Pacific framework.
The Indo-Pacific area, in which both countries have strategic relevance, has become one of the priorities of their bilateral relationship. These include maritime security, defence technology and sharing, and joint military activity all designed to counter a shared threat.
Modi-Trump Relationship & Bilateral Synergy
Misri underscored the long-standing rapport between PM Modi and President Trump, dating back to the US leader’s first term in office. The former now shows great partnership with the latter again and again on a range of global challenges and this time is a chance to deepen their collaboration.
According to Misri, the India-US relationship includes main segments like:.
- Trade & Investment
- Technology & Innovation
- Defense & Counter-Terrorism
- Energy & Climate Change
- People-to-People Ties
The Indian Community’s Role in Strengthening Ties
Inhabitants of the United States numbering over 5.4 million Indian-origin individuals and over 350,000 Indian students enrolled to study at American institutions of higher learning, the people-to-people linkage has been a salient feature of India-United States relations.
While on his trip, Modi is reported to interact with the Indian population, strengthening again the cultural and economic roles played by the Indian community in the US of America.
Conclusion
PM Modi’s Washington trip is an important diplomatic achievement, as India and the US are seeking to build up strategic partnership in Trump’s second term. Against the backdrop of trade, nuclear power, defense and Indo-Pacific security, this trip is anticipated to lay the foundation for the trajectory of India-US relations in the following years.
Although high-level and policy-oriented, official discussions will continue, the visit will provide an opportunity to further enhance economic cooperation, to work out trade issues, and to maintain India’s position as a strong global forcemaker.
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