Trump and Modi Meet at White House, Discuss Trade, Defense, and Immigration
On February 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House, emphasizing their strong personal rapport but also reiterating his stance on trade imbalances. Trump, who previously called India the “tariff king,” criticized its high import duties and vowed to impose reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. He stated that the U.S. would match India’s tariffs to create a fairer economic relationship. The U.S. and India currently have a trade deficit of $50 billion in India’s favor, with total bilateral trade reaching $190.1 billion in 2023.
Despite trade tensions, Modi expressed admiration for Trump and adopted the slogan “Make India Great Again” (MIGA), mirroring Trump’s “MAGA” campaign. Both leaders discussed increasing U.S. energy exports to India and advancing negotiations for a significant trade deal expected later in the year. Modi also highlighted India’s commitment to global peace amid criticisms of its neutral stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Trump announced that the U.S. would extradite Tahawwur Hussain Rana, convicted in the U.S. for his role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India. He also pledged to boost military sales to India, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets.
Ahead of Modi’s visit, Trump signed an order raising tariffs to align with other nations’ trade policies. India had already shown willingness to ease trade tensions by reducing tariffs on certain American goods, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and removing retaliatory duties on U.S. agricultural products like almonds and apples.
Trump also addressed immigration, emphasizing his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which includes deportation plans. India recently accepted 104 repatriated migrants from the U.S., marking the first such coordinated return. India ranks third in undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with over 725,000 individuals. Arrests of Indian nationals attempting to cross into the U.S. from Canada have also surged, reaching 14,000 in 2023. Modi assured that India is prepared to accept any verified Indian nationals deported from the U.S.
Modi’s visit follows those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The visit underscores ongoing U.S.-India cooperation despite trade disputes.
