Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, marking their first official meeting since Trump’s re-election. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade and energy cooperation between the two nations.
Speaking alongside PM Modi, President Trump announced that India will be purchasing oil from the United States, signaling a deeper economic partnership. “We plan to discuss trade in great detail,” Trump told reporters before the closed-door meeting. Modi, on his part, emphasized that he would prioritize India’s national interests while engaging in discussions with the U.S. administration.
High-Level Indian Delegation in Washington
PM Modi arrived at the White House accompanied by a high-profile Indian delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, and India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Ahead of his arrival, Indian flags were put up at the White House, reflecting the significance of the visit.
PM Modi is among the first world leaders to visit Washington following Trump’s inauguration, receiving an official invitation within three weeks of the new administration taking office. Since November 2024, the two leaders have spoken on the phone twice, maintaining diplomatic engagement.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
During the visit, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had earlier represented India at Trump’s inauguration ceremony and met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He also participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting in January 2025, reinforcing India’s commitment to strategic alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ahead of his bilateral meeting with Trump, PM Modi engaged in high-profile discussions with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. These meetings signified India’s focus on technology, business, and intelligence cooperation with the U.S.
The Modi-Trump meeting is expected to set the stage for enhanced trade, defense, and strategic collaboration between the two nations, reinforcing India-U.S. ties in the years ahead.
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