Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a busy week. After a productive trip to France, he is now in Washington DC for a quick 36-hour visit. On February 12, Modi landed at Joint Base Andrews. He was welcomed by India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with other officials. Afterward, he received a warm reception from the Indian community at Blair House, where he is staying.
Main Focus: Meeting with Trump
The main event of the visit will be Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump. However, in addition to this, Modi is expected to meet several other prominent figures in the US government.
Modi Meets US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard
The first US leader Modi met was Tulsi Gabbard, shortly after her confirmation as the Director of National Intelligence. Modi congratulated her on the new role. Furthermore, the two discussed the strong relationship between India and the US.
Modi to Meet Elon Musk
Another significant meeting will be with Elon Musk. Musk, a key figure in the Trump administration, will likely discuss his Starlink satellite broadband project with Modi. The service has faced delays in India due to security concerns, but Modi may hear Musk’s explanation and possibly move forward with it.
Modi’s Potential Meeting with Congressman Waltz
In addition, Florida Congressman Mike Waltz is expected to meet Modi. Known for his hard stance against China, Waltz’s position is seen as beneficial for India. If they meet, discussions on China and Canada—two ongoing concerns for India—could arise.
Vivek Ramaswamy to Meet Modi
Billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is also expected to meet with PM Modi. Ramaswamy, an Indian-American Republican, has previously praised Modi’s leadership. He has credited Modi with restoring India’s national pride and confidence.
The Big Modi-Trump Meeting
Of course, the highlight of Modi’s visit will be his meeting with President Trump. Trump will host Modi for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office later today (local time). Several critical issues will be discussed, such as tariffs. Trump has warned about “reciprocal” tariffs ahead of the meeting, and it remains to be seen if Modi can strike a deal to avoid a tariff clash. Additionally, immigration concerns, particularly the crackdown on illegal Indian immigrants, will be addressed.
Press Conference and Dinner
Following their meeting, Modi and Trump will hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House. Later, Trump will host a dinner for Modi, offering a chance for further discussions.
Setting the Tone for US-India Relations
This visit marks one of the first face-to-face meetings with world leaders since Trump returned to office. Therefore, Modi’s visit is expected to set the stage for stronger ties between the US and India over the next four years.