Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC on Thursday for a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. During his visit, Modi also met with US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard and is set to meet tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The gathering takes place against a backdrop of increasing conflict around Trump’s trade policies, his polarizing Gaza peace plan, and his continuous large-scale deportations of unauthorized aliens. As they both work to improve bilateral ties, these matters are expected to be main points of debate.
Since his second presidency began on January 20, PM Modi is the fourth world leader to visit Trump at the White House. Trump previously welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and King Abdullah of Jordan.
PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to the United States
Meeting of PM Modi and Donald Trump: Public Perception of Their Leadership
Recent Morning Consult approval assessments reveal PM Modi has a 75% approval rate, best among 5 top leaders in the world. By contrast, President Trump has fifth place and 52% rating.
When exactly PM Modi last met Trump?
Trump and Modi got along well during his first term, with kind words and acts of reconciliation passed back and forth. Both occasions, attended with great pomp, were the US hosted Modi in 2019 and Trump’s visit to Ahmedabad in 2020. Famous for their close views on China and radical Islam, Modi and Trump have often traded praises, Trump referring to Modi the “nicest person” and Modi mentioning Trump his “dear friend.
Will Modi and Trump manage trade and immigration tensions given their close relationships?
PM Modi-Trump’s White House Agenda:
- 1600 Hrs: PM Modi arrives at the White House
- 1605–1650 Hrs: Bilateral meeting
- 1710–1740 Hrs: Press statements by PM Modi and Trump
- 1740–1840 Hrs: Dinner hosted by President Trump