Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in a couple of hours amidst expectations of significant developments across trade, defence, and strategic cooperation.
The summit, set to take place at the White House, has both leaders seeking to strengthen bilateral ties while addressing longstanding trade, security and other concerns.
Reports say India is set to offer a series of trade concessions to the U.S., including tariff reductions on multiple products such as electronics, medical and surgical equipment, and chemicals. These moves are designed to address Trump’s concerns over the $45.6 billion trade deficit the U.S. has with India.
In addition, India is expected to announce increased imports of liquefied natural gas, combat vehicles, and jet engines from the U.S., potentially sweetening the deal for Washington.
The Trump administration has made it clear that reciprocal trade policies will be a priority. Despite a historically warm relationship with Modi, Trump has previously criticized India as a “very big abuser” on trade, signalling that he will push hard for more concessions.
U.S. officials hope to finalize a bilateral trade deal by the end of the year, marking a significant step toward resolving existing economic disputes.
Defence cooperation is another major area of discussion. Modi has met with U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to discuss expanding military collaboration, focusing on sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and space technology.
The U.S. sees India as a key partner in countering China’s growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump’s administration has emphasized the importance of joint military exercises and enhanced defence procurement agreements as part of a broader strategy to bolster regional security.
The case of billionaire Gautam Adani, who has been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department over an alleged bribery scheme, may also be a topic of discussion.
Immigration policies will likely be a contentious issue during the Modi-Trump summit. Trump’s administration has prioritized cracking down on unauthorized immigration, and India, as a major source of both legal and undocumented immigrants to the U.S., will be pressed for greater cooperation.
Many Indian nationals work in the American tech sector on H-1B visas, and while Trump has sought to limit work visas in some areas, he may also seek India’s support on tightening immigration enforcement.
A key underlying theme of the summit is China’s expanding global influence. Trump’s administration views India as a critical counterweight to China’s ambitions, particularly in Asia-Pacific trade and security dynamics.
Modi, too, remains wary of China’s military posturing and economic outreach in South Asia. However, India has historically maintained a stance of “strategic ambiguity”—avoiding direct confrontation with Beijing while fostering its own economic and military growth.
The leaders may also discuss India’s ongoing relationship with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Despite Western sanctions, India has continued to import Russian energy, raising concerns in Washington.
Trump, who recently held discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, may seek Modi’s perspective on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Adding an interesting dimension to the summit, Head of US Department of Government Efficiency and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was seen arriving at Blair House, where Modi is staying, just before the latter’s meeting with Trump.
According to a Ministy of external affairs release, they discussed “strengthening collaboration between Indian and US entities in innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. Their discussion also touched on opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and good governance.”
Some reports also said the meeting was expected to cover Elon’ Musk-run Starlink’s entry into the Indian market. Given Musk’s close ties with Trump, this could signal new U.S.-India collaboration in space technology and internet infrastructure, strengthening bilateral economic ties beyond traditional sectors.
Conventional wisdom seems to indicate that while trade disputes and immigration policies pose challenges, the potential for deeper cooperation in defence, energy, and strategic alignment against China remains strong.
Both leaders bring their own domestic political considerations into the talks, but if successful, the summit could mark a significant milestone in a rapidly evolving bilateral partnership.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
