• Discussions to focus on ramping up India-US cooperation in diverse fields
• Joint press conference with Trump on cards

I.S. Saluja

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived today in Washington, D.C. to a warm welcome. He will meet President Donald Trump during his 2-day official working visit to the US. This is Modi’s first visit to the US since the inauguration of Trump who assumed office on January 20.

In the meeting between PM Modi and Donald Trump, the two leaders are likely to broadly focus on ramping up India-US cooperation in sectors like trade, investment, energy, defense, technology and immigration.

With Mr. Trump’s tariff policy sending shockwaves across the world, PM Modi’s key priority is likely to be to pre-empt any punitive trade action by Washington against India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hoping that his gifts in the form of concessions on tariffs, fresh business deals and the prospect of cooperation on China will win the U.S. President’s favor.

Mr. Trump, not yet one month into his presidency, has wielded the threat of tariffs against friend and foe alike to try to extract new trade deals, investment or law enforcement help.

India may not be an exception: Although Mr. Trump had a warm relationship with PM Modi in his first term, he has called India a “very big abuser” on trade and his levies on steel and aluminum hit India particularly hard.

Ahead of his White House meeting, PM Modi has readied promises including increased liquefied natural gas, combat vehicle and jet engine purchases, according to Indian government officials who declined to be named. It’s a “gift” for Mr. Trump, said one of the sources, who declined to be named as they previewed a private meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump and visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a press conference when they meet, the White House said.

“Their joint press conference with Trump is set for 1710 ET [2200 GMT],” the White House said.

Prime Minister Modi will meet Elon Musk during his visit to the United States and Starlink’s entry in the South Asian Market could be discussed during the meeting, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the plans. Starlink wants to start operations in India. The Indian government has backed Mr. Musk’s idea that spectrum should be assigned rather than auctioned. However, Starlink’s license application is still being reviewed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the series of bilateral interactions with a meeting with U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday, February 12. The two leaders discussed enhancing intelligence cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts.
(With inputs from agencies)