Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi writing his remarks in the visitor book at White House in Washington DC, USA on February 13, 2025.
Washington DC: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on American universities and educational institutions to consider setting up off-shore campuses in India. At a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump, he also announced that India will “soon” be opening new consulates in Los Angeles and Boston, a move aimed at enhancing connections between the two nations.
In a moment that captured public interest, President Trump was observed pulling out a chair for Prime Minister Modi during their meeting. This act of kindness was widely seen as a gesture of mutual respect, reflecting a spirit of camaraderie between the two leaders.
However, the decision to bar an Associated Press reporter from the joint news conference, stemming from a disagreement over language, sparked worries regarding the state of press freedom and transparency. The White House Correspondents’ Association criticized this move as a form of viewpoint discrimination, underscoring the growing friction between the administration and the media.
The joint press conference also addressed the Bangladesh issue and the issue of illegal Indian immigrants in the U.S. among other things.
In response to inquiries about Bangladesh, Trump dismissed any notion of U.S. ‘deep state’ interference, stating, “I’ll leave it to Prime Minister Modi.” This indicates Trump’s preference for regional solutions to local problems, aligning with his strategy of reducing U.S. involvement in international issues. During their bilateral discussions, Trump made it clear that the U.S. would not intervene in the Bangladesh situation, highlighting India’s long-standing management of the crisis.
Trump has denounced the violence against minorities in Bangladesh, shining a light on the critical issues of religious freedom and human rights. This reflects a stance where the administration, while not inclined towards significant direct involvement, remains alert to human rights challenges in the country. In addition, last month, he issued an executive order that froze all foreign aid for 90 days to evaluate its alignment with U.S. interests. This decision led the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to instruct its partners in Bangladesh to immediately halt or suspend all ongoing projects and funding. The suspension has had a broad impact on various assistance programmes in Bangladesh, including those aimed at health, education, and economic development. At this moment, the 90-day review is still in progress, and the future of U.S. aid to Bangladesh hangs in the balance as the administration completes an assessment.
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In their discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump tackled the topic of Indian citizens living unlawfully in the United States. Modi expressed India’s commitment to repatriating its citizens, highlighting the importance of addressing human trafficking. He declared, “India is fully prepared to take back any Indian citizens living in the U.S. illegally.” This conversation followed the U.S. government’s deportation of 104 Indian nationals, a notable step in its immigration enforcement strategy. Furthermore, the talks included the extradition of those implicated in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Today marked the end of Modi’s visit to the United States, a significant event in the ongoing development of India-U.S. relations. This was Modi’s first visit since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, and it featured important discussions on trade, defence, and immigration, reflecting the strategic goals of both countries.
A prominent aspect of the visit was the commitment to addressing ongoing trade disputes. Both leaders showed a desire to negotiate and resolve trade issues, intending to finalize parts of a trade deal by the fall of 2025.
Modi stated: “Americans are familiar with President Trump’s motto, Make America Great Again, or ‘MAGA’…If I say in the language of America, developed India means Make India Great Again, i.e. ‘MIGA’. When the United States and India work together, i.e. ‘MAGA’ plus ‘MIGA’, the ‘MEGA’ Partnership for prosperity is formed. And this mega spirit gives new scale and scope to our goals.”
Trump underscored the importance of tackling the U.S. trade deficit with India, revealing plans to introduce reciprocal tariffs on nations that maintain protectionist trade practices, with India specifically mentioned. These tariffs, scheduled to be implemented on April 1, 2025, are designed to align with the tariffs that these countries impose on American imports. This strategy aims to correct what Trump perceives as unfair trade imbalances. The US President focused on the need to cut the trade deficit by increasing U.S. energy exports, while Prime Minister Modi committed to doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness to pursue a “mutually beneficial trade agreement” and pointed out India’s recent efforts to lower import duties on specific products, addressing some of Trump’s concerns regarding trade. He also expressed India’s commitment to boosting imports of American goods, including oil and gas, as a means to help mitigate the trade deficit.
Moreover, India agreed to enhance its purchases of U.S. oil, gas, and military equipment, indicating a shift towards a more equitable trade relationship.
Defence collaboration emerged as a significant theme during the discussions, with the U.S. unveiling intentions to boost military sales to India, which may include agreements for F-35 aircraft. Modi said, “The partnership between India and the United States underpins democracy and democratic values and systems. We will work together to enhance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad will have a special role to play in this.”
The leaders unveiled a ten-year plan for defence collaboration, emphasizing a substantial increase in U.S. arms sales to India. Both countries emphasized the necessity of strengthening security ties in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting their aligned strategic goals.
Energy security and technological partnerships were also key topics of conversation. Modi and Trump reached an agreement to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, with India pledging to increase its imports of American oil and gas. Additionally, they delved into potential collaborations in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, acknowledging the critical role these industries play in the global economy.
In addition to his discussions with President Trump, Prime Minister Modi connected with influential figures such as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to further explore U.S.-India relations. He also had a meeting with Elon Musk to discuss advancements in space and technology, showcasing a proactive stance towards innovation and collaborative efforts.
– global bihari bureau
