After a warm and engaging 20-minute phone call, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump appear to be moving toward an early summit to establish a comprehensive roadmap for India-US bilateral relations. There is strong speculation about a meeting next month in Washington, coinciding with the Artificial Intelligence Summit in France, scheduled for February 10-12. While the dates have yet to be confirmed, preparations are underway.

The phone conversation covered critical topics, including the Ukraine war and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, indicating the leaders’ alignment on major global issues. Sources close to the matter described the interaction as a friendly exchange between long-time allies, rekindling the rapport they shared during Trump’s presidency.

The discussion also focused on the QUAD alliance and its role in enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Talks are progressing toward finalizing dates for a broader summit in India later this year. Trump highlighted India’s commitment to purchasing US-manufactured security equipment, emphasizing fair trade as a cornerstone of the partnership. India’s planned acquisition of 31 Predator MQ-9B armed drones for $4 billion further underscores the strengthening of defense collaboration.

On immigration, Trump reiterated his confidence in Modi’s ability to address issues effectively, especially as Trump doubles down on his election promise to curb illegal immigration. He cited his tough stance on Colombia, which included trade tariffs and visa bans to pressure compliance, as an example of his commitment to tackling this issue.

The evolving dynamics signal a promising trajectory for India-US relations under Trump’s renewed leadership. High-level discussions between senior officials and the two leaders suggest a mutual intent to deepen cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, paving the way for stronger ties in Trump 2.0.