Washington DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the US capital on Wednesday (EST) after concluding his visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders also held bilateral discussions before Modi departed for the US, where he is set to meet President Donald Trump.
During this two-day visit, PM Modi will be the fourth foreign leader to meet Trump since his inauguration on January 20. Their meeting will be followed by a joint press conference and a dinner hosted by the US President.
Earlier in the day, Modi met Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, to discuss intelligence cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and emerging security challenges.
Modi’s Schedule in Washington (EST):
16:00 – Arrival at the White House
16:05 – 16:50 – Bilateral meeting with President Trump
17:10 – 17:40 – Joint press statements
17:40 – 18:40 – Dinner hosted by Trump
Significance of the Modi-Trump Meeting:
The talks between PM Modi and President Trump come at a crucial time, with India concerned about Washington’s “America First” trade policies and their impact on Indian exports. Given Trump’s tough stance on tariffs, Modi is expected to push for a trade agreement that prevents punitive measures against Indian goods.
The discussions are also likely to focus on strengthening economic ties, increasing defense cooperation, and addressing visa policies that impact Indian professionals. Experts believe the leaders may explore a potential trade deal to enhance bilateral commerce.
With growing global uncertainties, this high-level engagement is expected to shape the future of India-US relations across trade, investment, energy, technology, and security.
