Tue Jan 28 04:59:55 UTC 2025: ## Trump and Modi Discuss Trade, Security, and Immigration in Phone Call; February White House Visit Planned

**Washington D.C.** – President Donald Trump spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in their first phone conversation since Trump’s second-term inauguration. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including strengthening bilateral ties, security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe, and addressing trade imbalances.

President Trump announced that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit the White House in February. “We have a very good relationship with India,” Trump told reporters. The call follows reports of ongoing efforts to arrange an early meeting between the two leaders.

While their relationship has been characterized by warmth in the past, Trump’s previous campaign rhetoric included labeling India a “very big abuser of trade” and threatening tariffs. This phone call, however, signaled a continued commitment to cooperation. The White House statement emphasized the importance of India increasing its purchases of American security equipment and achieving a more equitable trade relationship. Bilateral trade between the US and India exceeded $118 billion in 2023/24, with India holding a significant surplus.

The leaders also discussed immigration, with Trump stating his expectation that India would cooperate in the repatriation of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US. Reports suggest that approximately 18,000 such individuals have been identified. This issue was also raised last week by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meeting with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes the US, India, Australia, and Japan, with India slated to host a Quad leaders’ summit later this year. Prime Minister Modi described President Trump as a “dear friend” and expressed their shared commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership. The Indian statement highlighted discussions on technology, trade, investment, energy, and defense.

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