Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President Donald Trump during a two-day visit to the United States, following an invitation from Trump after his second-term inauguration.
• Key topics on the agenda include immigration policy, with Modi's government facing domestic backlash over the recent deportation of 104 Indian nationals by the U.S. under controversial conditions.
• India has recently reduced tariffs on a range of U.S. goods and agreed to accept thousands of deported Indian nationals as part of efforts to strengthen trade ties and avoid potential tariffs from the U.S.
• The two leaders are also expected to discuss defense cooperation, with Trump emphasizing the importance of India purchasing more American-made security equipment during a recent phone call.
• India, as the U.S.'s largest trading partner, seeks to expand bilateral trade, ease visa restrictions for skilled workers, and maintain its strategic partnership with Washington to counter China's influence.