Strengthening Strategic Ties with US: Trade, Technology, and Defense on the Agenda
8th February 2025, Saturday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United States on February 12-13 for high-level discussions with President Donald Trump. It would be their first official interaction since Trump returned to the Oval Office last month.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announcing the visit said that it’s going to strengthen the strategic partnership further. Modi will travel to Washington after co-chairing the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron from February 10-12 outside of France.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States is meant to consolidate the increasingly emerging strategic partnership between India and the US. Some of the most interested areas include trade, investment, technology collaboration, and defence cooperation. Both countries share common interests in efforts concerning the Indo-Pacific, counterterrorism, and people-to-people ties, which will further strengthen during high-level talks. Modi’s visit comes amid concerns regarding the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants, giving a diplomatic flavor to the talks. The expected joint statement at the end of the visit is likely to outline a roadmap for future cooperation across various sectors.
“This is the first visit to the US by Prime Minister Modi after President Donald Trump’s second term is into effect. The invitation has come within just three weeks of the new administration, which underscores the importance of the India-US partnership, and the bipartisan support it enjoys in Washington,” Misri said.
Key Agendas to be covered by PM Modi
This visit will encompass many areas of cooperation, such as:
1) Trade and investment
2) Cooperation in Technology
3) Defense Partnerships
4) Counter Terrorism
5) Indo-Pacific Security
6) People-to-People Contact
According to Misri, the bond between Modi and Trump, going back to the time when Trump was US President, has strengthened the country’s profile. This value has also extended well at the converging points of interest between the two countries.
“The Indian Community of 5.4 million people in the US and with an additional around 350,000 Indian students studying at American universities gives much more strength to this relationship,” he added.
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Deportations of Unauthorized Immigrants Cause Talk
Modi’s visit comes during concern in India for deportation of about 104 undocumented Indians from the US. Reportedly, they were sent back when handcuffed and shackled, leading New Delhi to take its concerns to American authorities.
“Yes, we have been in touch with US authorities regarding this issue that we have so conveyed the clearly avoidable concerns regarding treatment,” said Misri.
When asked whether India has ever protested against the shackling of deportees, Misri clarified that not even a single official record exists to document such protest. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier indicated that such practices were initiated only in 2012.
“This particular deportation was different from previous ones; it was classified as a ‘national security operation’ by US authorities, which explains the use of a military aircraft”, Misri said.
He stressed that the root issue is that of human trafficking networks that provide false ideas for people to illegally migrate. “Gangs take exploitation of innocents, take hefty money, and send them outside illegally. The government must take action against these networks,” he stated.
Verifying Illegal Immigrants is Ongoing
The current identification verification by the Indian government is of about 800 individuals with the status of possible deportees from the US. Of these, 487 are believed to be Indian, while the verification of another 298 is in the final stages.
“Every country is free to ascertain the national status of a person before returning him to the country,” added Misri, “and there are also legal and security aspects to this, and we are in close coordination with the US authorities to ensure due process”.
The visit of these two dignitaries will culminate in a joint statement of major agreements and future initiatives after two days. More details will follow after the discussions between PM Modi and President Trump.
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