After ‘long talk’, Trump says Modi likely to visit White House in February
In a call, two leaders discuss global issues including situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and on measures to boost bilateral ties in areas like technology, trade, investment, energy and defence
Following their telephonic conversation on Monday (January 27), US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the White House for a meeting with him in February.
“I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida.
“Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi),” Trump told reporters when asked about the details of his call with Prime Minister Modi.
Modi dials up Trump
In his first phone call to Trump since he was sworn in as the new American President, Prime Minister Modi on Monday discussed a series of global issues including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine and deliberated on measures to boost bilateral cooperation in areas such as technology, trade, investment, energy and defence.
According to an official statement, Modi and Trump also vowed to work towards a "trusted" partnership between India and US and advance global peace and security.
The conversation between the two leaders comes amid concerns over Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigrants and hours after US law enforcement agencies conducted searches at several gurdwaras to look for illegal migrants, much to the chagrin of the Sikh community.
Committed to mutually beneficial partnership: Modi
The two leaders agreed to meet soon, it said.
“Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term," Modi said on X.
Also read: T. V. Paul interview: ‘Trump is likely to bring more challenges for India’
"We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security," he said.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the two leaders "reaffirmed" their commitment for a "mutually beneficial and trusted partnership".
"They discussed various facets of the wide-ranging bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and measures to advance it, including in the areas of technology, trade, investment, energy and defence," it said.
Views on global issues
"The two leaders exchanged views on global issues, including the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and reiterated their commitment to work together for promoting global peace, prosperity and security," the PMO said.
"The leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date," it added.
It is not immediately known whether the issues of immigration and tariff figured in the talks.
Concerns over tariff, immigration rules
Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration's approach on immigration and tariff.
Trump has already talked about slapping "100 per cent tariffs" on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India too.
Also read: Sikhs fume as US officials raid gurdwaras in search of illegal migrants
It is learnt that the phone call was initiated from the Indian side.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that India is looking for "bolder, bigger and a more ambitious" relationship with the US and indicated its readiness to work with the Trump administration to address issues like illegal immigration and trade.
Trump pitched for fair trading ties: White House
In a statement, the White House called the conversation between the two leaders a “productive” one and in which Trump sought a move towards a "fair" bilateral trading relationship and deeper India-US cooperation.
“Today, President Donald J Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation," the readout said.
“The President emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship,” the White House said. “The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations,” according to the readout.
Ministerial-level meeting
The phone conversation between Modi and Trump came six days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Washington.
Jaishankar also attended the Quad foreign ministers' meeting in the American capital. The meeting was the Trump administration's first foreign policy engagement.
At a media briefing in Washington on January 22, Jaishankar said his meetings signalled that the Trump administration "prioritising" the bilateral relationship with India.
The external affairs minister also said that there was agreement between the two sides about the need to be bolder, bigger, and more ambitious about the bilateral relationship.
Also read: US mission in India reviews foreign aid following Trump’s executive order
Asked about the Trump administration's policy on tariff and immigration, Jaiswal said on Friday that India is looking at addressing issues in a constructive manner.
"Our approach has always been to address issues in a constructive manner which is in keeping with the interests of both countries," he had said at his weekly media briefing last week.
"We remain in close communication with the US administration and would like to continue to work towards strengthening our economic partnership further," he said.
Also read: Indian couples rush for preterm deliveries to beat Trump’s citizenship deadline
India is also keen to continue cooperation under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) that was launched during the tenure of the Biden administration.
(With inputs from agencies)