US President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of India purchasing more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27, according to the White House.
Trump later told reporters that they also discussed immigration and that Modi is expected to visit the US sometime in February. The White House had earlier mentioned that plans for a Modi visit were discussed by the two leaders.
In what the White House described as a “productive call,” the leaders talked about expanding and deepening cooperation on issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. Reuters reported last week that Indian and US diplomats are working to arrange a meeting between the leaders as early as February.
Trump and Modi enjoyed warm relations during Trump’s first term, but during his re-election campaign, Trump called India a “very big abuser” on trade and vowed to use tariffs on global imports into the US to correct imbalances. Trump has also threatened the BRICS group of nations, of which India is a part, with tariffs if they did not commit to not creating a new currency.
In the January 27 call, Trump “emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship,” according to a White House statement. The US is India’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing US$118 billion (S$159 billion) in 2023 and 2024, with India posting a surplus of US$32 billion.
India is also a key strategic partner in US efforts to counter China. In a social media post on January 27, Modi called Trump a “dear friend” and said they were “committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership.” Modi added, “We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security.”
An Indian statement said the leaders discussed technology, trade, investment, energy, and defense, and “agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date.” The White House said Trump and Modi emphasized their commitment to the Quad grouping that includes the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, with India set to host Quad leaders later this year.
Dr. Tanvi Madan, an India expert at Washington’s Brookings Institution, said it appeared likely that Modi would visit Washington soon, with Trump reciprocating by attending the Quad summit. “Trade and immigration issues are clearly on the Trump administration’s agenda when it comes to India,” she said. “Its impact will depend in part on India’s response to Trump’s asks, but also how the broader debate on those issues plays out in Washington.”
Dr. Madan noted that India would be hoping for a changed US posture towards India’s close relations with Russia, but for now, would have to contend with US sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war.
Trump told reporters on January 27 that Modi “will do what’s right” when it comes to taking back Indian immigrants who came to the US illegally. In a meeting with India’s foreign minister last week, Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized a desire to “address concerns related to irregular migration.”
Trump has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration, and Bloomberg News reported last week that India and the US have identified some 18,000 Indian migrants in the US illegally. Trump has said he is open to legal migration of skilled workers, and India is known for its massive pool of IT professionals, many of whom work across the world. They account for the bulk of the skilled worker H-1B visas issued by the United States.
The US readouts this week and last made no mention of Washington’s accusations of Indian involvement in a foiled murder plot on US soil against a prominent Sikh activist, which had been an awkward factor in relations during the latter part of the Biden administration.