Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek to rekindle his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and avoid angering him over issues like tariffs and immigration when they meet on Thursday at the White House.
Trump will be pushing for a “fair” trade deal with India, while the two leaders are also expected to discuss a new defense partnership and military sales during their upcoming meeting, according to senior White House officials.
Modi will participate in a joint press conference with Trump — a rare occurrence for the Indian leader, who is known for his extensive social media presence but rarely engages with reporters in such settings.
Additionally, Modi will hold a one-on-one meeting with tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been pushing an aggressive agenda, alongside Trump, to overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
“There’s a lot of natural warmth dating back to President Trump’s first term,” a senior administration official noted. However, the official added that while there had been “early body language from the government of India that has been well received,” these were “modest steps” and that “a lot more work” remained.
Ahead of his visit, Modi has already made some quick tariff concessions, such as reducing duties on high-end motorcycles, a move that benefits Harley-Davidson, the iconic American brand that has faced difficulties in India, much to Trump’s frustration.
The two leaders are expected to push further toward a trade deal, with hopes of having it in place later this year, the official stated.
US officials indicated that it would be up to Trump to address any potential tariffs on India. According to US figures, the United States had a $45.6 billion trade deficit with India in 2024.
India has already accepted a US military flight carrying 100 detained migrants as part of Trump’s immigration overhaul, and New Delhi has pledged a “strong crackdown” on illegal migration.
India’s top career diplomat, Vikram Misri, mentioned last week that there had been a “very close rapport” between Modi and Trump, though their relationship has yet to yield a breakthrough on a long-anticipated bilateral trade deal.
Modi was one of the first leaders to congratulate Trump after his November election victory, referring to him as a “good friend.”
For nearly three decades, US presidents from both parties have focused on strengthening ties with India, seeing it as a key ally against a rising China. However, Trump has been vocal in his criticism of India on trade, once labeling the country the “biggest tariff abuser.”
Trump, known for his unapologetic use of tariffs, has targeted both allies and adversaries in his pursuit of a trade agenda.
“Modi has prepared for this, and he is seeking to preempt Trump’s anger,” said Lisa Curtis, who served as the National Security Council director for South Asia during Trump’s first term.
While US public attention has largely been focused on deporting Latin Americans, India remains the third-largest source of undocumented immigrants to the US, following Mexico and El Salvador.
Indian activists burned an effigy of Trump last week after the US plane carrying the detained migrants transported them in shackles for the entire journey, while the opposition accused Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government of weakness.
One area Modi is expected to avoid is official US scrutiny regarding his record on the rights of Muslims and other minorities, a topic on which the Biden administration has offered mild critiques.
Trump is unlikely to highlight such issues, which have drawn criticism from former president Joe Biden’s administration.
Modi is the fourth world leader to visit Trump since his return, following the prime ministers of Israel and Japan, and the king of Jordan.
During Trump’s first term, Modi made considerable efforts to court the US president. The two share similarities, both campaigning on promises to favor majority communities over minorities and both pursuing aggressive crackdowns on dissent.
In 2020, Modi invited Trump to inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium in his home state of Gujarat, where the two addressed a cheering crowd of more than 100,000 people.
Trump may visit India later this year for a summit of the Quad, a four-nation group comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
- Trade Talks: Trump seeks a “fair” trade deal with India; discussions on defense partnership and military sales are expected.
- Modi’s Rare Press Conference: Modi will hold a joint press conference with Trump, a rare move for the Indian leader.
- Meeting with Elon Musk: Modi is scheduled to meet tech billionaire Elon Musk to discuss federal bureaucracy overhaul.
- Trade Concessions: Ahead of the visit, Modi has reduced duties on high-end motorcycles, benefiting Harley-Davidson.
- Push for Trade Deal: Both leaders aim to make progress on a trade deal, with hopes for completion later this year.
- US-India Trade Deficit: The US had a $45.6 billion trade deficit with India in 2024.
- Migration Cooperation: India has accepted a US military flight carrying detained migrants and pledged a crackdown on illegal migration.
- Close Rapport: India’s top diplomat noted a “very close rapport” between Modi and Trump, though no trade deal breakthrough yet.
- Modi’s Position on Minority Rights: Modi is expected to avoid discussions on his record regarding the rights of Muslims and minorities, a topic lightly criticized by the Biden administration.
- Historical Ties: US presidents have long prioritized ties with India, viewing it as a counterbalance to China; Trump has criticized India on trade issues.
- Modi’s Past Engagement with Trump: Modi congratulated Trump post-election and has courted the US president during his first term.
- Potential Trump Visit to India: Trump may visit India later for a Quad summit with Australia, India, Japan, and the US.