Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is expected to visit the United States soon, as both nations make significant strides to deepen their partnership. This planned visit follows recent conversations between Modi and US President Donald Trump on January 27, 2025, emphasizing collaborative efforts across various sectors.
During the call, Modi congratulated Trump on his historic second term, highlighting their longstanding commitment to mutual cooperation through what they describe as the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. "The PM and President Trump had a telephone conversation recently. The two sides are working on an early visit of PM to the US to deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.
Both leaders engaged on various global issues, including the complex situations presented by Western Asia and Ukraine. Modi took to social media to express his sentiments, saying, "Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership.” This reflects the growing intimacy of their dialogue, with discussions underscoring their commitment to global peace and prosperity.
A White House statement following the call reiterated Trump's emphasis on India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment. Trump stated, “The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship.” This sentiment echoes larger themes around trade negotiations facing both nations.
Further discussions during the call previewed plans for Modi's visit, which is anticipated to take place as early as February 2025. The visit aims to focus on advancing the strategic partnership, particularly concerning technology, trade, and defense cooperation. Harsh V Shringla, former foreign secretary and US ambassador, opined, "More significantly, this will serve as a confidence booster. Significant progress had been made on such a deal during Trump's first term," reinforcing the notion of continuity and advancement from prior agreements.
The potential for limited trade pacts remains on the table, as India appears to seek investment commitments akin to those established with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Shringla highlighted, "A trade deal, even partial, will secure enhanced market access for Indian and US companies,” emphasizing the deal's confidence-building capacity.
Conversely, Pradeep Mehta, secretary general at CUTS International, shared insights on managing existing trade tensions. Mehta suggested, “A few of the prominent high tariffs on upscale goods of American export... can be brought down... which will be beneficial for both India and the US.” His remarks indicate optimism about the possibilities for progressing on trade negotiations, encouraging flexibility on both sides.
Challenges remain, particularly surrounding the sectors of services and professional movement, as those negotiations are not anticipated to be part of any forthcoming accords. Nonetheless, both nations remain focused on addressing legacy trade frictions, as the US continues to be India's largest trading partner. Two-way trade exceeded $118 billion, reflecting the complex interdependence between the two economies.
On January 27, Trump also hinted at potential tariffs against India, China, and Brazil, reiteration of his aggressive posture toward countries he perceives as acting against US interests. During discussions with House Republicans, he remarked, “We’re going to put tariffs on countries and people who really mean harm to us,” which adds another layer of complexity to the existing trade discussions.
Overall, as the prospect of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to the US looms, the significance of this diplomatic moment cannot be overstated. Both India and the US view this as not only pivotal for their bilateral ties but also as influential for regional stability and global strategic alignments.