Modi-Trump Meeting Likely on February 13, Potential Dinner in Washington

WASHINGTON: According to sources familiar with the matter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13 in Washington, D.C.. Trump is also likely to host a dinner for Modi during the visit.

Modi will arrive in Washington on the evening of February 12 after concluding his trip to France and will remain in the U.S. capital until February 14. His schedule will include meetings with American corporate leaders and the Indian diaspora.

Following their first phone call since Trump’s recent return to office, the U.S. President mentioned that Modi would likely visit the White House in February. India has been eager to strengthen ties early in TTrump’snew term, leveraging the personal rapport between the two leaders to foster deeper collaboration while managing potential challenges in the relationship.

In an official readout of their call, the White House highlighted Trump’s emphasis on India increasing its purchases of U.S.-made defense equipment and promoting fair trade relations. With Trump’s administration reinforcing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, trade discussions with India have gained heightened importance.

Sources indicate that Trump is keen to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with India and push for stronger commercial engagement. In response, India has shown a willingness to boost energy imports and recently reduced customs duties on key products that could benefit American companies. Additionally, the government’s proposal to amend nuclear liability legislation may pave the way for enhanced commercial atomic cooperation between the two nations.

Trump also raised concerns over illegal immigration during his discussion with Modi, asserting that the Indian government would “do the right thing.” India has reiterated its commitment to repatriating its nationals who have illegally entered the U.S. after proper verification. However, the exact scale of the issue remains uncertain, and the matter carries political sensitivities, particularly given the significant number of affected individuals from Gujarat.

Both countries are expected to reaffirm their commitment to technology collaboration on the strategic front, whether through the existing framework for the critical and Emerging Technologies initiatives or a revamped version. The U.S. has also expressed interest in deepening military interoperability and reviewing export control regulations based on India’s defense procurement decisions.

With External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar already participating in a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting under the new U.S. administration and the White House reaffirming the significance, Trump’s visit may include a commitment to attend the Quad leaders’ summit in India later this year.

The U.S. National Security Council oversees preparations for Modi’s visit, with National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Ricky Gill, Senior Director for South and Central Asia, leading efforts on the American side.

The visit comes as key U.S. diplomatic positions related to India remain vacant. The State Department has yet to appoint a new assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, with Eric Meyer temporarily filling the role. Similarly, the Pentagon has not announced its regional assistant secretary, and Trump has yet to name a U.S. ambassador to India.

Given these staffing gaps and limited inter-agency coordination on the U.S. side, the visit is expected to focus on reaffirming Modi’s and Trump’s bond, outlining priorities for the bilateral relationship, and setting a clear direction for future cooperation while addressing areas of divergence.