PM Modi to Hold Talks with Donald Trump During US Deportation Row Visit

New Delhi/Washington:

US Deportation Row: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on an official working visit to the United States starting February 12 to 13 at the behest of his counterpart Donald Trump. It happens to be his first visit since President Trump recently assumed his office for his second presidential term barely weeks ago. The visit comes in the wake of tensions over the recent deportation by the US government of 104 illegal Indian migrants, which has sparked a heated debate in the Indian Parliament.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the visit, terming it an important step toward consolidating bilateral ties between India and the United States. “At the invitation of US President Donald Trump, PM Narendra Modi will pay an official working visit to the US on the 12th and 13th of February. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United States since the inauguration of the second presidential term of US President Donald Trump,” Misri stated.

He further pointed out that PM Narendra Modi is one of the first world leaders to visit the US after Trump’s re-election, which reflects the significance of India-US ties and the bipartisan support the partnership enjoys in Washington.

It comes at a critical time when the government he leads is being criticized over the deportation of 104 illegal Indian migrants from the US yesterday. In response to questions on the deportation, Misri said, “I don’t think there was any protest in 2012 regarding a similar deportation. We have no record of any such protest.”

Apart from the immigration issue, the talks between Narendra Modi and Trump are likely to be centered on increasing trade relations and security cooperation. India, being a strategic US partner, is eager to expand trade ties and facilitate skilled worker visas. Trump recently spoke with PM Modi, emphasizing that India should purchase more American-made security equipment and ensure fair bilateral trade.

The government says India is to reconsider import tariffs on more than 30 products, including luxury cars, solar cells, and chemicals, to reduce trade tension. The United States remains the country’s biggest trading partner as two-way trade exceeds $118 billion in the last fiscal year of 2023-24. India enjoyed a trade surplus of $32 billion.

Before heading to Washington, the PM will be visiting France on February 10-12, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. During this visit, he would co-chair the AI Action Summit with Macron and visit Cadarache, which is the site of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, in which India is a key partner.

“Prime Minister Modi will reach Paris in the evening of February 10 and attend a dinner hosted by President Macron at the Élysée Palace. The dinner is likely to be attended by top CEOs from the tech industry and other distinguished guests,” Misri said.

On February 11, Modi and Macron will co-chair the AI Action Summit. This will be the third high-level summit on artificial intelligence after the UK in 2023 and South Korea in 2024. In the evening, the two leaders will address the India-France CEOs forum. Modi will proceed to Marseille.

On February 12, Modi and Macron will visit a war cemetery to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War I. The leaders will then jointly inaugurate the newest Consulate General of India in Marseille before visiting the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor site.

PM Modi’s back-to-back visits to France and the US underscore India’s strategic engagement with its key allies. While the AI Summit with France aims to foster technological cooperation, the US visit is expected to reinforce India’s trade and diplomatic relations with Washington.

The upcoming engagements highlight India’s commitment to global partnerships amid evolving geopolitical dynamics, ensuring its voice remains prominent on the world stage.