Washington, Feb 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the US on February 12-13, marking his first trip since President Donald Trump’s re-election.
The visit signals the importance of the India-US partnership, coming less than a month after Trump’s return to the White House.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underlined the significance of the visit, saying, “The fact that the Prime Minister has been invited to visit the US within barely three weeks of the new administration taking office shows the importance of the India-US partnership and is also reflective of the bipartisan support this partnership enjoys in the US.”
PM Modi’s arrival in Washington D.C. is scheduled for February 12 at 6 p.m. EST (4:30 a.m. IST on February 13). His itinerary includes high-profile meetings with Trump, senior US officials, and prominent business leaders.
PM Modi and Trump are set to meet at the White House on February 13 at 4 p.m. EST (2:30 a.m. IST on February 14).
The discussions are expected to cover trade disputes, import tariffs, and defence collaborations. India has been pushing for lower tariffs on exports, while the US is keen on increasing sales of energy and military equipment to India.
The two leaders will also focus on Indo-Pacific security, counterterrorism, and investment partnerships. The meeting will be followed by a private dinner hosted by Trump. Before or after the talks, both leaders will address the media in the Oval Office.
A crucial meeting between PM Modi and Elon Musk is also on the cards.
According to sources cited by media, “PM Modi is set to meet Elon Musk during his trip this week to the United States, and Starlink’s entry in the South Asian market could come up for discussion.”
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite broadband service, has been eyeing India’s market but has faced regulatory delays. The Indian government has supported Musk’s position that satellite spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned, a stance that has put him at odds with Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
One source familiar with the matter told the media, “Musk is agreeable to give assurances on India security concerns, which includes storing data locally.”
However, Starlink’s licence application is still pending.
It remains unclear if Tesla’s India entry will be discussed, but increased sourcing of electric vehicle components from India is likely to be a talking point.
During his US visit, PM Modi will be hosted at Blair House, the official guest residence of the US President. This prestigious stay underscores the diplomatic weight of the visit.
Apart from Trump and Musk, PM Modi is expected to engage with senior US officials and members of the Indian diaspora. Notably, his schedule does not include meetings with other business CEOs, according to sources.
PM Modi’s US visit follows a two-day trip to France, where he co-chaired the AI Action Summit with President Emmanuel Macron. The summit focused on artificial intelligence regulations, innovation, and global cooperation in emerging technologies.
Before meeting PM Modi, President Trump had already hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan’s King Abdullah. This sequence of meetings highlights Washington’s diplomatic priorities early in Trump’s second term.
India and the US share extensive strategic interests across trade, investment, defence cooperation, and technology. This visit is expected to reinforce bilateral ties and address key policy issues affecting both nations.
During his 36-hour stay in the US, PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Trump in restricted and delegation-level formats.
During the US trip, PM Modi is scheduled to hold overall six bilateral meetings within a span of his 36-hour visit to the US. (With inputs from IANS)