ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, aiming to revive their strong rapport and avoid tensions over tariffs and immigration. The two leaders are also scheduled to hold a joint press conference, a rare move for Modi, who is known for his active social media presence but seldom takes questions from the press.
The meeting is part of a series of high-profile visits to the Oval Office since Trump returned to power. Modi and Trump enjoyed a close relationship during Trump’s first term. Ahead of his visit, Modi made gestures to ease trade tensions, including slashing tariffs on high-end motorcycles, which is seen as a move to benefit Harley-Davidson, a company that has faced challenges in India and drawn criticism from Trump.
India also participated in Trump’s immigration overhaul by accepting a US military flight carrying 100 shackled migrants back to India last week, and has pledged to take stronger action against illegal immigration.
Vikram Misri, India’s top career diplomat, recently stated that Modi and Trump share a “very close rapport,” though their relationship has yet to result in a breakthrough on a long-awaited trade deal. Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump after his election victory.
US presidents have long prioritized strengthening ties with India as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. However, Trump has criticized India over trade issues, often accusing it of being the “biggest tariff abuser.”
Modi has been preparing for this meeting with the aim of avoiding Trump’s anger over trade, according to Lisa Curtis, a former National Security Council director. Modi’s government has also supported Trump on deporting undocumented immigrants, with India being the third-largest source of undocumented migrants in the US.
Indian activists have protested the return of the migrants, but Modi’s government has refrained from focusing on issues such as the rights of Muslims and minorities, an area where Trump is unlikely to engage.
Modi’s visit marks the fourth by a foreign leader since Trump’s return to office, following visits by the prime ministers of Israel and Japan, and the King of Jordan. The two leaders have much in common, having both pursued policies favoring the majority communities in their respective countries. Modi even invited Trump to inaugurate the world’s largest cricket stadium in Gujarat in February 2020.
Trump is expected to visit India later this year for a summit of the Quad — a four-nation alliance that includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
