Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United States from February 12, where he will engage in discussions with President Donald Trump on various topics, including trade and defense, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Modi plans to arrive in Washington, D.C. on the evening of February 12, following his attendance at an Artificial Intelligence Action summit in Paris on February 10 and 11. His meeting with Trump is anticipated to take place the following day.
This visit marks Modi’s first bilateral engagement with the U.S. since Trump began his second term as president on January 20, following his surprising electoral win in November. Modi will be among a select group of foreign leaders to visit Washington for bilateral talks shortly after the new administration’s inauguration.
While there has been no official confirmation of Modi’s visit yet, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India indicated last week that they are coordinating with Washington for an expedited visit of the Prime Minister.
Modi’s upcoming trip comes amid growing concerns in India regarding Trump’s policies on immigration and tariffs. Recently, the U.S. President announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% on goods from China.
In a phone call on January 27, Modi and Trump expressed their commitment to strengthening a “trusted” partnership, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, and defense. Following their discussion, the White House highlighted that Trump stressed the importance of India increasing its purchases of U.S.-made security equipment and fostering a balanced trade relationship.
Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the strategic partnership between the U.S. and India, as well as the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India preparing to host Quad Leaders for the first time later this year.
India has shown interest in expanding its energy collaboration with the U.S., particularly in the area of clean energy. In a recent move ahead of Modi’s visit, India announced intentions to amend its nuclear liability legislation and establish a nuclear energy initiative. Certain provisions within India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 have been identified as obstacles in implementing the civil nuclear agreement that was established between the two countries around 16 years ago.
Additionally, India is exploring the potential for civil nuclear cooperation with the U.S. in the domain of small modular reactors (SMRs). Holtec International, a U.S.-based company, is recognized as a leading exporter of SMRs globally, and India’s Department of Atomic Energy is reportedly interested in collaborating with this American firm.
