Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet United States President Donald Trump during his visit to the United States next week, India’s foreign ministry announced on Friday.
Modi will be one of the first world leaders to visit after Trump’s inauguration.
The meeting will focus on strengthening ties between the two nations, which have had a close relationship in recent years, though efforts for a US-India trade deal have yet to reach a breakthrough.
Vikram Misri, India’s top career diplomat, emphasised the “very close rapport” between the two leaders and noted that Modi’s visit would be an opportunity to engage with the new administration on various areas of mutual interest.
The Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump during the visit, which will also focus on trade, investment, technology, defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, and Indo-Pacific security.
“The visit will be a valuable opportunity to engage the new administration in all areas of mutual interest.
“This has been one of our strongest international partnerships in recent years, and the prime minister’s visit is in line with our steady engagement with the new administration,” Misri said.
The visit will also take place shortly after a US military aeroplane deported 104 Indian migrants, a move linked to Trump’s immigration policy.
India’s government has expressed its opposition to illegal migration, although it acknowledged that deportations are not new, with the US having expelled over 15,000 Indians since 2009.
Modi’s visit comes at a time when India’s economy is growing rapidly, yet many Indians still seek opportunities abroad.
