U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit to the White House next week, according to a White House official. This announcement comes just hours after a U.S. military aircraft took off to repatriate deported migrants to their home country.
On January 27, Trump engaged in a conversation with Modi, during which he addressed immigration issues and emphasised the significance of India increasing its purchases of American-made security equipment and fostering equitable bilateral trade relations.
India, recognised as a strategic ally of the United States in the ongoing efforts to address challenges posed by China, is actively seeking to strengthen trade ties with the U.S. Additionally, the country aims to simplify the process for its citizens to obtain skilled worker visas.
The administration is eager to steer clear of tariffs previously threatened by Trump, pointing to India’s elevated tariffs on American goods as a significant concern.
In a significant development, the United States has emerged as India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $118 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year. Notably, India recorded a trade surplus of $32 billion during this period.
