India and US diplomats are reportedly working to schedule a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump in February, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The meeting, likely to be held in Washington, is expected to address key issues such as enhancing trade relations, skilled worker visas, defense collaboration, and technology partnerships. India, a strategic partner for the US in countering China, sees this as an opportunity to strengthen ties during Trump’s new term.

India’s concerns about potential US-imposed tariffs remain high on the agenda, given Trump’s previous remarks about India’s high tariffs on US goods. However, Indian officials are prepared to offer concessions and incentives to attract US investments.

The United States is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing $118 billion in 2023/24. India maintains a trade surplus of $32 billion with the US, a figure likely to shape discussions during the meeting.

The groundwork for the meeting is being laid by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who attended Trump’s inauguration and met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The leaders discussed trade and migration issues, including concerns over irregular migration and the H-1B visa program, which is vital for India’s IT professionals.

Trump’s previous visits to India, including the 2020 Ahmedabad rally with 100,000 attendees and the 2019 “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, underline the strong personal rapport between the two leaders. An early meeting this year aims to continue fostering that relationship and set a positive tone for US-India ties in the coming years.

This meeting will further focus on shared goals in technology and defense, with both nations aiming to bolster their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

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