Washington DC: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United States for a summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in the second week of February next month, diplomatic sources have said.
The proposed visit will provide an opportunity to the two leaders to have in-depth discussions on bilateral issues and reaffirm the growing partnership between the two countries. The visit comes at a crucial time for US-India relations, with the Trump administration taking charge and both democracies looking to further deepen their strategic ties in areas such as trade, defense and global security.
The personal rapport between the two leaders is strong, and the Modi-Trump meeting is expected to set the tone for future collaborations. During this, common issues like trade, tariffs, market access, economic development, regional stability, and counter-terrorism are likely to be discussed. Apart from this, geopolitical topics like China will also be at the center of discussion.
Ahead of the visit, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the inauguration ceremony of President Trump on January 20. This will be a significant first in diplomatic history for an Indian leader to attend the inauguration of a US President. This reflects the priority that both countries attach to this partnership.
This summit will not only be for diplomacy but will also give an opportunity to both the leaders to reiterate the enduring friendship between their countries. It will also provide an opportunity for India to play an important role in Trump’s geopolitical policy. This partnership is likely to make further progress with strong bipartisan support in the US and India.
Highlights of US-India partnership
Strategic and Defense Cooperation:
The US and India have significantly expanded defense cooperation, including joint military exercises, exchanges, and cooperation on counter-terrorism and maritime security. India is a key partner of the US Indo-Pacific strategy, which focuses on ensuring a free, open, and inclusive region. Both countries have signed several defense agreements, such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) and COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), which strengthen mutual operational and security cooperation.
Trade and Economic Relations:
The US is one of India’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign investment. Bilateral trade has grown significantly, with key sectors being IT, pharmaceuticals, and energy. The US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) works to remove trade barriers and deepen economic ties.
Technology Collaboration:
Both countries are working together in areas like 5G, clean energy and artificial intelligence.
Climate Change and Clean Energy:
The two countries are working to address climate change through the US-India Clean Energy Finance Task Force. It focuses on renewable energy and clean technologies.
People-to-people relations:
Educational, cultural, and scientific exchanges between the two countries are strong. The Indian-American community has become an integral part of American society.
Geopolitical Alignment:
India and the US advocate a rules-based international order to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Humanitarian Cooperation:
India and the US cooperate in global humanitarian efforts such as disaster relief and health initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic further underlined this partnership, with the US providing vaccines and medical assistance to India.
