Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States on February 12-13, Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, highlighted key issues expected to be discussed during the meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Possible Trade Agreement
Jaishankar suggested that both nations might reach an agreement on tariffs to prevent a tit-for-tat trade dispute.
“We may see some kind of agreement where both sides agree on a set of tariffs and another arrangement to ensure we don’t get into a tit-for-tat type of trade dispute over the next 4 years… India is a very large producer of steel globally, so the possibility of this escalating is real,” he said.
Addressing Immigration and Deportation Issues
The issue of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US is also expected to be on the agenda.
“India had a long-standing policy not just with the US but other countries as well… If they are identified as Indian and they have overstayed their visas or if they are undocumented migrants, India is willing to take them back,” Jaishankar noted.
However, he acknowledged that the optics of deportation have “played very negatively in India” and suggested that discussing management strategies could be beneficial.
Four Key Areas of Focus
Jaishankar outlined four main areas to watch for in the outcome of the Modi-Trump meeting:
- Re-establishing Personal Rapport – Strengthening the relationship between PM Modi and President Trump will be crucial for advancing bilateral ties.
- Structured Engagement – Ensuring the continuation of existing high-level dialogues to resolve outstanding issues.
- Trade and Immigration Challenges – While an immediate resolution is unlikely, establishing clear pathways for resolution over the next year will be important.
- Quick Wins for Both Sides – Striking deals that contribute to job creation and trade deficit reduction in the US while supporting India’s Make in India initiative and technological advancements.
Defence Agreements in Focus
Jaishankar also highlighted that defence cooperation will be a key component of the discussions, with two types of agreements expected:
- Acquiring Existing US Inventory – India is expected to procure additional US military equipment, including aircraft.
- Co-production and Technological Collaboration – India will push for co-production agreements and technology-sharing benefits to align with its defence modernization goals.
“For the US, this is important because it will help create jobs and reduce the trade deficit, which is a big priority for President Trump,” Jaishankar noted.
First Meeting in Trump’s Second Term
PM Modi’s visit marks his first meeting with President Trump since he assumed office for his second term. The discussions are expected to shape the future of US-India relations, focusing on trade, immigration, and strategic cooperation in defence and technology.