Trade, Energy, Defense, and Illegal Immigration Expected to Top Agenda at the Summit on the 13th
As global "tariff wars" intensify following the re-inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United States. Attention is focused on the outcome of the summit between Trump and Modi.
U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are embracing during a joint press conference at the White House Rose Garden. Washington DC, USA - Photo by AP
According to foreign media outlets such as India's NDTV and the BBC on the 12th (local time), Prime Minister Modi will visit Washington DC, United States, from February 12 to 13 after attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit held in Paris, France. The summit with President Trump is scheduled for the 13th.
During Trump’s first term, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi displayed a notably close relationship. However, as the upcoming summit takes place amid President Trump’s recent emphasis on reciprocity and his threats directed at countries worldwide, the atmosphere is expected to be markedly different from the past.
On February 10, President Trump announced that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States from every country. He also stated that a "reciprocal tariff," under which trading partners would impose similar levels of tariffs on each other, would be announced soon. Given that President Trump criticized India as a "major villain in trade" during his presidential campaign, this summit is also expected to focus on tariff negotiations.
Analysts predict that, in addition to President Trump’s various demands, the upcoming meeting between the two leaders will prominently feature the aspect of "deal-making." Aware of U.S. intentions, the Indian government has already indicated its willingness to lower tariffs, expand imports of American weapons and gas, and has also expressed its intention to repatriate illegal residents from the United States.
In addition to trade and the issue of illegal residents-which are considered the most contentious topics-cooperation on nuclear development is also expected to be discussed at the summit. Prime Minister Modi discussed nuclear cooperation with Vice President J.D. Vance during their meeting at the Paris AI Summit the previous day.
The White House stated in a press release that "the two sides discussed how the United States can help diversify India’s energy sources through clean and reliable nuclear technology."
The Modi administration is currently working to amend nuclear-related laws to allow companies such as GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Westinghouse, and ?lectricit? de France to participate in supplying reactors for nuclear power plant construction.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced on this day that, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, India signed an agreement with France on cooperation for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Further agreements related to nuclear power are also expected to be reached during Modi’s visit to the United States.
In addition, it has been reported that during his U.S. visit, Prime Minister Modi is also seeking a meeting with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and head of the Trump administration’s advisory body, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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