On Thursday (local time), US President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House in Washington, DC. The two leaders greeted each other with a friendly hug in the West Wing lobby.

Captured Moment Shared on Social Media

White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Scavino, shared the moment on X, saying, “Behind the scenes in the West Wing lobby – @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse.”

Behind the Scenes in the West Wing of the @WhiteHouse as @POTUS @realDonaldTrump welcomes the Prime Minister of India, @NarendraModi… pic.twitter.com/3QsuluQnM1

— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 13, 2025

First Visit Since Trump’s Second Term Inauguration

This visit marks PM Modi’s first trip to the US since President Trump began his second term.

Indian Delegation Arrives at the White House

After PM Modi’s arrival, his delegation—comprising External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra—also reached the White House. Indian flags were displayed around the premises in preparation for the visit.

PM Modi Among First Leaders to Visit After Trump’s Inauguration

PM Modi is one of the first global leaders to visit the US after President Trump’s second-term inauguration. He was invited to the White House just three weeks after the new administration took office.

Strong Communication Between Modi and Trump

Since November 2024, PM Modi and President Trump have kept in touch, speaking twice over the phone.

Jaishankar’s Role at Trump’s Inauguration

In January 2025, S. Jaishankar, Modi’s special envoy, attended Trump’s inauguration. Jaishankar also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

PM Modi’s Pre-Meeting Discussions with Key Figures

Before meeting President Trump, PM Modi held discussions with several influential figures, including US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. These talks set the stage for strengthening bilateral ties and addressing global challenges.

Billboard Campaign in Washington Highlights US-India Cooperation

In Washington, a mobile billboard truck displayed messages promoting US-India cooperation. Slogans like “Paving the Path for Progress: US-India Alliance in Developing a Skilled Workforce” and “Pillars of Friendship, Pathways of Progress” were featured.

PM Modi’s Visit to France Before US Trip

PM Modi arrived in the US after a three-day visit to France. During his time there, he met US Vice President JD Vance. After their meeting, PM Modi joined Vice President Vance and the Second Lady, Usha Vance, for coffee. Additionally, PM Modi gave gifts to the Vance children and wished their son, Vivek, a happy birthday, according to a White House statement.