Key points
- Trump asked Modi to move towards a fair bilateral trading relationship
- Reuters reports Indian-US diplomats trying to arrange a meeting of Trump and Modi in February
- India had a trade surplus of $32b with the US in the year 2023/24
- India is a US strategic partner
ISLAMABAD: In a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving towards a fair bilateral trading relationship.
According to the Arab News, in what the White House called a “productive call,” the statesmen discussed increasing and deepening cooperation and regional issues which included security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.
Trump said Modi is expected at the White House in the coming month. It was disclosed after the two leaders talked on a call, according to Bloomberg.
They also discussed plans for Modi to visit the White House, “underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations,” it said.
Last week, Reuters reported that Indian and United States diplomats were trying to arrange a meeting of the two leaders as early as February.
Fair bilateral trade
“The president emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship,” a White House statement said.
The United States is India’s largest trading partner and two-way trade between the two countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion.
India, a strategic partner of the United States in its vision to contain China, is keen to increase trade with the US.
India also wants to make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas.
The White House said both leaders emphasised their commitment to advancing the US-India strategic partnership and the Quad grouping.
Quad Meeting
Quad brings together the United States and India with Australia and Japan, with India to host Quad leaders later this year.
Foreign ministers of the Quad, who share concerns about China’s increasing power, met last week in Washington the day after Trump’s return to office and recommitted to working with each other.
Earlier on Monday, Modi referred to Trump as a “dear friend” and said they were both “committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership.”
Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2025
“We will work together for the welfare of our people and toward global peace, prosperity, and security,” Modi said in a social-media post.
