Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States after attending the AI Paris summit, marking his first bilateral trip since President Donald Trump's re-election for a second term in January 2025.
This "official working visit" makes PM Modi the fourth foreign leader to be hosted at the White House since President Trump assumed office.
The meeting between PM Modi and President Trump, both known for their strong personal bond, highlighted the strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between India and the US.
Modi’s visit to the US capital comes just days after the Trump administration deported 104 Indians in handcuffs and shackles aboard a military aircraft, an event that sparked widespread outrage in India.
During the meet, both the leaders signalled that their nations were ready to reshape a decades-old partnership for the MAGA (Make America Great Again) challenge.
The joint India-US Statement released during this just concluded visit highlights several significant achievements and initiatives. They cover various domains, including defence, trade, energy security, technology, and multilateral cooperation.
During Donald Trump's first term, he and Narendra Modi enjoyed a strong friendship, often sharing hugs and compliments. Modi received a grand welcome in the US during a 2019 Texas event, while Trump’s 2020 visit to Ahmedabad was equally celebrated.
Both leaders, united in their views on China and radical Islam, have frequently praised each other's assertive leadership and economic nationalism. Trump once called Modi the "nicest human," while Modi referred to Trump as his "dear friend."
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with other senior officials, warmly welcomed PM Modi at the airport, marking the beginning of an important diplomatic visit between the two nations.
PM Modi meets US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard
The Indian Prime Minister met with Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, to discuss strengthening ties between India and the United States, with a particular focus on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and emerging threats.
PM Modi congratulated Gabbard on her confirmation as the nation's top intelligence official, highlighting her strong support for the India-USA partnership.
“Met USA's Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation and discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong supporter,” Modi posted on X.
The meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration between the two nations in addressing global security challenges, as shared by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on X.
Modi and Musk discuss space, AI, and innovation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla chief Elon Musk at Blair House in Washington.
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration, welcomed PM Modi at Blair House, accompanied by his children – X, Strider, and Azure.
During the meeting, Musk gifted Modi a Starship hexagonal heatshield tile. The discussion followed Musk's meeting with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, with PM Modi joined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) shared that PM Modi and Elon Musk discussed enhancing collaboration between India and the US in areas such as innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. The talks also focused on deepening cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance. Musk was accompanied by his family during the meeting, according to the PMO.
PM Modi also presented Musk’s children with three books: ‘The Crescent Moon’ by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, ‘The Great RK Narayan Collection’, and ‘Panchatantra’ by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.
After his meeting with Elon Musk, PM Modi took to X, sharing that he discussed India's efforts to implement reforms and advance the principle of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" with the tech billionaire.
Vivek Ramaswamy calls meeting with PM Modi a 'pleasure and honour'
Indian-origin entrepreneur and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy expressed his delight after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Blair House in Washington DC, calling it a "pleasure and honour" to welcome the Indian leader to the United States.
“It was a pleasure and honour to welcome Prime Minister Modi. I hope he has a wonderful visit, and it was a great meeting,” Ramaswamy said after their discussions.
According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Prime Minister Modi and Vivek Ramaswamy engaged in productive discussions on India-US relations, innovation, biotechnology, and the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in shaping the future.
Ramaswamy, who previously sought the Republican presidential nomination before endorsing Donald Trump, has been a strong advocate for bolstering US-India ties. He had also served as co-head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk but reportedly stepped down due to differences with the Tesla CEO.
‘Mega partnership’ in trade, defence, and energy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed a "mega partnership" with the US after striking a deal with President Donald Trump for India to import more American oil and gas.
Modi’s two-day visit coincided with Trump’s recent decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners, including India. While both leaders praised each other's leadership, Trump criticised India for its high trade tariffs, calling them a "big problem."
Seeking to ease trade tensions, Prime Minister Modi expressed openness to reducing tariffs on US goods, repatriating undocumented Indian nationals, and purchasing military fighter jets from the US. During a joint news conference, Modi playfully referenced Trump’s "Make America Great Again" slogan, adding his own twist: "Make India Great Again – MIGA." He called it "MAGA plus MIGA… a Mega partnership for prosperity." Trump highlighted that India would be "purchasing a lot of our oil and gas" to help address the trade deficit, stating, "They need it, and we have it."
A new ten-year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership will be signed this year, aiming to strengthen interoperability and defence cooperation. The US plans to expand defence sales and co-production with India, including pursuing Javelin and Stryker systems and procuring six additional P8I aircraft. There will be a review of ITAR to streamline defence trade, technology exchange, and maintenance. Negotiations for a Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement will also begin this year. The United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to India, marking a significant step as India joins the exclusive group of nations possessing these advanced stealth aircraft.
The partnership will accelerate cooperation in space, air defence, missile, maritime, and undersea technologies. The US is reviewing its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters and undersea systems to India. A new initiative, the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), will focus on scaling industry partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, with India being the first country to collaborate on sensitive underwater domain awareness technologies. Enhanced logistics, intelligence sharing, and security cooperation will also be prioritised.
The Modi-Trump meeting set ambitious goals for bilateral trade, aiming to double the total to $500 billion by 2030. The first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is expected by fall 2025, focusing on addressing trade barriers. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs were recognised, but both leaders acknowledged India’s investments in the US, including over $7.35 billion from Indian companies, creating 3,000 high-quality jobs.
They also launched the US-India TRUST initiative to foster collaboration in emerging technologies and agreed to develop an Indo-US Roadmap for accelerating AI infrastructure. The introduction of INDUS Innovation to enhance industry and academic partnerships marked another key step.
Modi and Trump reaffirmed the US-India Energy Security Partnership, highlighting the need to boost hydrocarbon production and strategic petroleum reserves. They also announced plans to build US-designed nuclear reactors in India and increase investments in oil and gas infrastructure. Additionally, the US expressed support for India’s bid to join the International Energy Agency as a full member.
The joint statement recognises the contributions of the 300,000-strong Indian student community, which adds over $8 billion annually to the US economy, creating numerous jobs. Both nations agreed to strengthen collaborations between higher education institutions through joint/dual degree programs, Centres of Excellence, and offshore campuses. They also committed to improving legal mobility for students and professionals, enhancing short-term travel, and tackling illegal immigration and human trafficking. Additionally, the two sides pledged to boost law enforcement cooperation to combat organised crime, including narco-terrorism, human and arms trafficking, and other security threats.
The two leaders aim to advance the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and the I2U2 Group within six months, with new initiatives planned for 2025. This ambitious goal is complicated by the Gaza conflict's impact on Israel's relations with the Arab world. They also intend to establish new plurilateral partnerships in defence, technology, energy, and critical minerals across the Western Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific, with announcements expected by fall 2025. Notably, the Indo-Pacific already hosts the Quad, raising questions about these new partnerships. In the H1B visa debate, India highlighted the positive contributions of its 300,000-strong student community, which adds over $8 billion annually to the US economy. Additionally, Trump approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, following the US Supreme Court's rejection of his appeal. This decision underscores strengthened US-India cooperation in combating terrorism. Trump also dismissed any involvement of the "deep state" in Bangladesh’s affairs, leaving the matter to PM Modi.
After the bilateral meeting, Donald Trump gifted PM Narendra Modi the book ‘Our Journey Together’ when they met at the White House. He also showed the Prime Minister several photos from 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump' events, which are a part of the book. Trump signed the book by writing "Mr Prime Minister, You Are Great."
Trump lauds Modi as "tougher negotiator" in bilateral talks
During their bilateral meeting, President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "much tougher negotiator" than himself, acknowledging Modi's superior negotiating skills. "He is a better negotiator than me. There's not even a contest," Trump remarked at a joint news conference.
In response to the question about deportation of Indians, Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to repatriating any citizens living illegally in the US, while stressing the importance of addressing human trafficking. Modi emphasised that anyone who enters a country illegally should not be allowed to stay, citing the recent controversial deportation of 104 Indians who were returned aboard a military aircraft with their hands and legs shackled. "Vulnerable, young individuals from ordinary families are often deceived into illegal immigration," Modi explained, calling for joint efforts between India and the US to dismantle the human trafficking "ecosystem."
In the same press conference, Trump sidestepped a question on "anti-India activities" in the US, claiming he couldn’t understand the reporter’s "tough accent." He also addressed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, confirming that the US would immediately return him to India. Trump highlighted the broader cooperation between the two nations, noting that there were several similar requests from India. He briefly touched on the issue of Khalistani terrorists but avoided direct answers, instead pointing to strained US-India relations over oil and gas disputes.
During the conference, when reporters asked about Bangladesh, Trump emphasised that the situation was primarily the Prime Minister's responsibility, noting that the US would not intervene in the country's political landscape. This comment signals that the US is unlikely to take a stance on the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, which follows a period of political turmoil and student-led protests. While the US has a strategic interest in countering China and relies on India’s support, it refrained from taking a position on the Bangladesh issue. The bilateral meeting between the US and India was productive, but it would have been reassuring if Trump had expressed a clearer stance on the matter, as it leaves the diaspora concerned.
