President Donald Trump emphasized the need for India to purchase more American-made arms and ammunition during his phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The newly inaugurated president stressed the importance of fostering a “fair bilateral trade” relationship between the two nations. The White House confirmed that Trump called for India to enhance its security equipment procurement from the US, signaling a broader push toward improving bilateral trade ties.
In addition to the trade discussion, the two leaders touched on several regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening the US-India strategic partnership and advancing the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting the Quad Leaders Summit later this year. The call highlighted the ongoing significance of Indo-Pacific relations, particularly given the growing challenges posed by China in the region. Additionally, the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, were discussed.
The White House also shared that PM Modi is likely to visit the US next month, with President Trump confirming that Modi would be visiting the White House in February. Trump further mentioned in a statement aboard Air Force One that he had a productive conversation with Modi, reinforcing their strong relationship.
During the call, Trump also addressed the migrant issue, affirming that India would do “what is right” regarding the return of immigrants who entered the US illegally. The Trump administration has consistently focused on stricter immigration policies, aligning with its “American First” approach.
This phone call follows the growing diplomatic engagements between the two leaders, who shared warm relations in the past, including the “Howdy Modi” event in Texas in 2019 and the “Namaste Trump” event in India in 2020.
