India and the United States are working on finalizing a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington this month, potentially right after his participation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit hosted by France in Paris on February 10 and 11.
This visit is seen as a significant step in deepening the India-US global strategic partnership.
During a phone conversation on January 27, PM Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed a range of issues, with a White House visit being a key topic. The visit will highlight the strength of the relationship between the two nations, as well as the close personal bond between the leaders, especially considering that PM Modi may be one of the first foreign leaders to visit the White House during President Trump's second presidential term.
A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson confirmed that the dates for PM Modi's visit are still being finalized, and the announcement will be made at the appropriate time. This bilateral visit follows Trump's pledge to strengthen the US-India partnership, which was established during his first term.
Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla emphasized that the visit will serve as a foundation for future decisions and collaborations, particularly as India prepares to host the Quad Summit later this year. He pointed out that Trump's second term provides a unique opportunity to take the relationship to new heights, especially with the strong personal chemistry between PM Modi and President Trump. Shringla recalled the success of the "Howdy Modi" event in Houston and the "Namaste Trump" event in Ahmedabad, both of which showcased their close rapport.
The two leaders' discussions are expected to build on this strong foundation and lead to enhanced bilateral ties, with positive expectations for addressing any issues, such as tariffs, smoothly due to the solid relationship between the two countries.
This marks the second phone conversation between PM Modi and President Trump after Trump's re-election, and it sets the stage for high-level visits and important decisions to follow. The relationship between the two leaders is built on mutual admiration and respect, which is expected to drive further enhancement of the bilateral ties.
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