2 days ago
Last Updated:January 28, 2025, 09:27 IST
PM Modi and Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation on Monday, where they discussed bilateral ties and emphasised their shared commitment to working together for global peace and stability.
PM Modi and Donald Trump spoke on the phone for the first time since the latter took office. (Reuters/File)
US President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the White House in February, making the latter one of the first world leaders to visit Washington after Trump’s inauguration. He also said they discussed the hot-button issue of immigration.
“I had a long talk with him this morning and he’s going to be coming to the White House in the next month, probably in February. We have a very good relationship with India," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Trump also told reporters that PM Modi “will do what’s right" when it comes to taking back Indian immigrants who came to the US illegally. This came after a report last week claimed India has agreed to take back some 18,000 Indian immigrants living illegally in the US.
In a meeting with India’s foreign minister last week, Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized a desire to “address concerns related to irregular migration." Trump has said he is open to legal migration of skilled workers and India is known for its massive pool of IT professionals, many of whom work across the world.
This follows a telephonic conversation between the two leaders for the first time since Trump took charge as US President for a second term. During the conversation, both leaders discussed bilateral ties between the two biggest democracies and emphasised their shared commitment to working together for global peace and stability.
During the call, Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. They also discussed expanding and deepening cooperation in the “productive call", according to the White House.
Both leaders also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between the two nations.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Indian and US diplomats are trying to arrange a meeting of the leaders as early as February. The Indian Prime Minister last visited the United States in September to attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware.
“Delighted to speak with my dear friend President Donald Trump. Congratulated him on his historic second term. 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," said PM Modi in an X post.
Prime Minister Modi last spoke to Trump on November 7 last year, the day the Republican leader achieved a sweeping victory in the US Presidential Elections. The two leaders enjoyed warm relations during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.
However, Trump has previously called India a “very big abuser" on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the US to correct imbalances. The US is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a surplus of $32 billion.
(with Reuters inputs)
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 28, 2025, 08:12 IST
News india PM Modi Set To Visit US In February; Trump Says India Will Do 'What's Right' On Illegal Immigrants
