US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a “productive” phone call on Monday, discussing a range of bilateral issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. This was the first conversation between the two leaders since Trump began his second term on January 20.
During the call, Trump mentioned that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the United States in February. Trump emphasized the strong relationship between the two countries, noting that the discussion also touched on the issue of immigration. The US President stated that PM Modi “will do what’s right” regarding the return of Indian immigrants who have entered the US illegally.
The conversation came amid reports suggesting an early meeting between the two leaders. Trump, who previously expressed dissatisfaction with India’s trade practices during his re-election campaign, focused on the importance of expanding bilateral trade and security cooperation. Trump urged India to increase its procurement of American-made security equipment and move towards a fairer trade relationship. India, in turn, remains a crucial partner in US efforts to counter China.
On immigration, Trump reiterated his position on cracking down on illegal migration and highlighted the identification of approximately 18,000 Indian migrants in the US who are in the country illegally. However, he expressed openness to legal migration, especially for skilled workers, noting India’s significant pool of IT professionals.
PM Modi, in response, praised the strong ties between India and the US, emphasizing the commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership focused on global peace, prosperity, and security.
Read Also: