PM Modi Arrives in Washington DC for Crucial US Visit; Trump to Host White House Dinner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Washington DC on Wednesday (EST) after wrapping up his two-day visit to France, where he co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders also engaged in bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Indo-French ties. Before departing for the US, Modi and Macron shared a warm embrace at the Marseille airport.

Modi’s US Visit: Key Engagements and High-Profile Meetings

During his two-day visit, PM Modi will meet US President Donald Trump, making him the fourth foreign leader to visit the White House since Trump’s January 20 inauguration. The two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in Washington on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Modi met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to discuss India-US intelligence cooperation, focusing on counter-terrorism and emerging global security threats.

PM Modi’s Day 1 Schedule in Washington (EST)

• 16:00 Hrs – Arrival at the White House
• 16:05 – 16:50 Hrs – Bilateral meeting with President Trump
• 17:10 – 17:40 Hrs – Joint press conference, where both leaders will take questions
• 17:40 – 18:40 Hrs – State dinner hosted by President Trump

Note: The schedule is subject to real-time changes.

Significance of the Modi-Trump Meeting

PM Modi’s discussions with President Trump come at a crucial time, as India navigates concerns over Washington’s “America First” trade policies and its evolving immigration stance. Modi is staying at the prestigious Blair House, the US presidential guest house located in the heart of Washington, DC.

With Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, particularly targeting Asian economies, Modi’s top priority will be to prevent any punitive trade actions against India. Analysts suggest that both leaders may explore the possibility of a bilateral trade agreement to mitigate tariff-related disruptions and enhance economic cooperation.

Beyond trade, the two leaders are expected to focus on strengthening India-US collaboration in investment, energy security, defense, advanced technology, and immigration policies.

The visit is also expected to set the stage for deeper strategic ties, with India and the US seeking to expand defense partnerships, boost technology transfers, and enhance cooperation in critical sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and space exploration.