New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day working visit to the US from February 12 during which he will meet President Donald Trump, the external affairs ministry Friday announced.
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Modi’s visit will give further impetus and direction to India-US bilateral relationship.
Prior to his US visit, Modi will be in France from February 10-12 to co-chair the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
He will also visit Cadarache, the site of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor of which India is a partner, Misri said.
In the last 16 years, more than 15,000 Indians have been sent back from the U.S., with a record number during Trump’s last presidency, according to Indian government data.
The latest deportation used a military aircraft because U.S. authorities felt it would be the quickest option, he said.
“In so far as alternatives are concerned, we will consider any alternatives that would be feasible (for future deportations).”
During the U.S. visit, Modi and Trump will discuss trade, defence cooperation and technology, among other issues, he said.
Previously, the U.S.-funded International Rescue Committee would have treated her and the tens of thousands of other refugees living in camps on the Thai-Myanmar border.
India, a strategic partner of the U.S. as a counter to China, has been keen on more H-1B visas, used by people with specialised skills to work temporarily in the U.S. and often used in the tech sector. India, known for its big IT workforce, accounts for the bulk of such visas issued by the United States.
Late in December, Trump said he fully backed the visa programme for foreign workers.
Trump spoke with Modi on January 27, when he brought up immigration and the need for India to buy more American-made security equipment.
New Delhi is also keen to avoid tariffs that Trump has previously threatened, citing India’s high tariffs on U.S. products.
India is already planning to review import tariffs on more than 30 items, including luxury cars, solar cells and chemicals, a senior Indian official told Reuters this week.
The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner and bilateral trade surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion.
Ahead of the trip to Washington, Modi will visit Paris from February 10 to 12 for an AI summit, during which he will also hold a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
PM Modi to pay 2-day working visit to US from Feb 12
