Washington (TDI): U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the White House said.
Trump later himself told journalists they also spoke about the issue of immigration and that Modi will visit the U.S. in February.
The White House said earlier that plans for a Modi trip were discussed by the two leaders, Reuters reported.
In what the White House termed a “productive call,” the leaders discussed expanding and deepening collaboration and issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.
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Trump and Modi shared warm relations during US president’s first term, but in his re-election campaign, Trump criticized India a “major trade abuser” and pledged address imbalances through tariffs on international imports.
Trump has also threatened the BRICS, of which India is a part, with tariffs if they did not accept his demand of committing to not create a new currency.
US-India Trade
The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade crossed $118 billion in 2023-24, with New Delhi posting a surplus of $32 billion.
India is also an important strategic partner in U.S. efforts to counter China, and in a social media post on Monday, Modi termed Trump a “dear friend” and stated they were “committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership.”
Modi said, “We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards international peace, prosperity, and security.”
An Indian statement said Modi and Trump discussed technology, trade, investment, energy and defense and “agreed to remain in touch and meet soon at an early mutually convenient date.”
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The White House said Trump and Modi stressed their commitment to the Quad grouping that brings together the US and India with Australia and Japan, with India to host Quad leaders later this year.
