Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on Thursday at Blair House in Washington, DC. In addition, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also part of the meeting.
Had a fruitful meeting with NSA @michaelgwaltz. He has always been a great friend of India. Defence, technology and security are important aspects of India-USA ties and we had a wonderful discussion around these issues. There is strong potential for cooperation in sectors like… pic.twitter.com/5w3Gv2lMJ6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2025
Upcoming Meetings with Musk and Ramaswamy
While staying at Blair House, PM Modi is set to meet Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Following these meetings, he will head to the White House to meet President Donald Trump, marking their first face-to-face meeting since Trump’s inauguration.
Modi Meets Tulsi Gabbard
Upon arriving in Washington, PM Modi met with US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. During their conversation, they focused on strengthening the growing India-US friendship.
Bilateral Talks with Trump
Tomorrow, PM Modi will meet President Trump in the Oval Office for bilateral talks. This meeting will occur in the early hours of the morning in India.
Key Issues on the Table
Trade tariffs are expected to dominate the discussions. Trump has warned of imposing “reciprocal” tariffs, and it remains to be seen if PM Modi can avoid this conflict and instead reach a trade deal. Additionally, the US crackdown on illegal Indian immigrants will be addressed.
Press Conference and Dinner
After their meeting, the two leaders will hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House. Subsequently, President Trump will host a dinner in honor of PM Modi.
Strengthening US-India Relations
Overall, Trump’s second term is already shaping global relations. PM Modi is one of the few world leaders to meet with the US President in person since the inauguration. This visit will set the stage for stronger US-India ties over the next four years.