In brief
Will shared priorities strengthen bilateral ties between India and the US?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United States next week for a key meeting with President Donald Trump, according to the White House. Reports indicate that during his two-day visit, Modi will attend a dinner hosted by Trump, although the specific dates have yet to be revealed. His upcoming meeting marks Modi as one of the early foreign leaders to engage with Trump in his second presidential term. Notable world leaders like Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Japan's Shigeru Ishiba are also in Washington this week.The bond between Modi and Trump flourished during Trump's first term. Recently, the two leaders engaged in a "productive" phone call, discussing issues such as illegal immigration, security, and their trade relationship. Experts are eager to see if their rapport can help ease trade and immigration tensions that have arisen. Trump previously praised Modi as a "great leader", while also criticizing India for high tariffs. The timing of Modi's visit coincides with a US military flight that recently deported nearly 100 Indian nationals, underscoring ongoing immigration challenges. Reports indicate that about 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants are known to the US authorities, but the actual number may be much greater. The Pew Research Center estimates that there were around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US last year. So far, India has avoided punitive tariffs on exports, despite Trump's sharp criticisms about trade practices. In a sign of goodwill, India's recent budget cut tariffs on several items, including motorcycles like Harley Davidson.As Modi prepares for this crucial diplomatic engagement, the Indian foreign ministry has emphasized the commitment to strengthen ties. India appears ready to navigate the complexities of its relationship with the US under Trump's administration.
