Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday for a high-profile dinner that covered trade, defense, energy, and technology. While their interactions were marked by warm gestures and bonhomie, tensions percolating beneath the surface relating to tariffs and immigration shaped the agenda.
PM Modi’s visit to the US, making him the fourth world leader to meet Trump since he took office, attracted global attention. International media outlets analyzed both the friendly optics and the deeper policy frictions, assessing the long-term implications of the meeting.
Trade Tensions Dominate the Headlines
Reuters broke the story with this headline: Trump denounces India tariffs, assents to trade talks, highlighting Trump’s longtime frustration with India’s “very high” tariffs. Just before the leaders’ meeting, Trump reinforced his new policy of reciprocal tariffs, which will affect all US trading partners, including India.
“We are being reciprocal with India,” Trump said. “Whatever India charges, we charge them.”
PM Modi reasserted India’s resolve to protect its trade interests while hinting at a desire to increase defense and energy imports from the US—an aspiration Reuters called “aspirational.” The news agency further added that it was “not clear” if the case of billionaire Gautam Adani, who is accused of bribery in the US, was raised. Asked about the issue, PM Modi brushed aside the idea, saying, “Countries don’t meet to discuss such topics.”
Balancing Trade Disputes with Friendship
The Associated Press highlighted the diplomatic dichotomy in its title: Trump calls India’s Modi a ‘great friend’ but warns of higher US tariffs on Indian goods. According to the report, while Trump complimented Modi in public, he demanded trade sanctions on India, once nicknamed the “tariff king.”
Ahead of Modi’s visit, Trump signed an order enforcing broad reciprocal tariffs, ensuring the US imposes import duties equal to those of its trading partners. AP also noted that Modi’s visit aimed to ease tensions with Washington, which had been strained due to India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine war. Addressing concerns, Modi stated, “The world had this thinking that India somehow is a neutral country in this whole process. But this is not true. India has a side, and that side is of peace.”
AP underscored the significance of Modi’s remarks, especially as Trump had recently reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss potential peace talks.
A Diplomatic Balancing Act
New York Times presented the encounter under the heading: Trump and Modi Push Quarrels Aside During White House Visit. The coverage portrayed the visit as a calculated bid by Modi to position himself behind Trump’s agenda while keeping disagreements to a minimum before the public.
The Times reported that Modi “lavished praise” on Trump, even taking up his election motto, claiming, “Make India Great Again.” The report noted, in apparent warmth notwithstanding, that fundamental differences remained, especially in trade and immigration policies. The claimed further the manner in which, at the joint press conference, Modi “made no reference whatsoever” to the deportation of the unauthorized Indian immigrants from the US, a cause for increasing concern in India.
Modi’s Adoption of Trump’s Branding
Fox News focused on Modi’s use of Trump’s signature slogan in its headline: Indian Prime Minister Modi takes page from Trump, says ‘Make India Great Again’. The report highlighted Modi’s vision for India’s development by 2047 and his remarks on national heritage.
In addition, Fox News highlighted Modi’s strong position on immigration, citing him as declaring, “Anybody who comes into another country illegally, they have absolutely no right to be in that country. And when it comes to India and the US, we have always been of the same view.”
Focus on Counterterrorism Cooperation
Al Jazeera did things differently, focusing its coverage on counterterrorism collaboration. Among the salient points of the meeting, according to the outlet, was Trump’s pledge to extradite Tahawwur Rana, the convicted perpetrator of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India.
We concur that to end cross-border terrorism, we require tangible steps,” Modi said. “And I’m extremely thankful to President Trump that, in 2008, someone who perpetrated genocide in India – that criminal is going to be handed over to India.
Al Jazeera further reported the US move to enhance military sales to India, following Trump’s revelation that new defense agreements between the two countries would be “many billions of dollars” worth.
Key Takeaways from the Modi-Trump Meeting
The meeting between Modi and Trump was a mix of diplomatic warmth and economic friction. While the two leaders projected a strong partnership, differences over trade, tariffs, and immigration remained central to discussions. Modi’s embrace of Trump’s rhetoric, combined with India’s efforts to enhance defense and energy ties with the US, underscored a broader strategy to navigate the complexities of bilateral relations.
