US President Donald Trump greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a warm hug as he arrived at the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday. The meeting took place in the West Wing lobby, marking an important moment in their diplomatic ties.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared a photo of their meeting on X, writing, “Behind the scenes in the West Wing lobby – @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse.”
Modi’s First US Visit Since Trump’s Second Term
This visit marks Modi’s first trip to the US since Trump began his second term. He is among the first world leaders to visit Washington under the new administration, arriving within three weeks of Trump taking office.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump share a hug as the US President welcomes the PM at the White House
President Trump says, "We missed you, we missed you a lot." pic.twitter.com/XTk1h7mINM
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
Soon after Modi’s arrival, key members of the Indian delegation, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, also reached the White House. The premises were decorated with Indian flags, signifying the importance of the visit.
Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
PM Modi and President Trump have maintained close communication, speaking twice over the phone since November 2024. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented Modi at Trump’s inauguration and later met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He also participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting in January 2025, reinforcing India’s commitment to regional cooperation.
Before his meeting with Trump, Modi held discussions with key figures, including US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. These talks focused on deepening bilateral ties and addressing global challenges.
President Trump gifts Prime Minister Modi his book, Our Journey Together, and shows the photo of his 2020 visit to the Taj Mahal 🇺🇸🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/MYhPyX0LZD
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) February 13, 2025
Public Display of US-India Cooperation
In Washington DC, a mobile billboard advertising truck showcased messages emphasizing the strong partnership between India and the US. The banners displayed statements like “Paving the Path for Progress: US-India Alliance in Developing a Skilled Workforce” and “Pillars of Friendship, Pathways of Progress.”
Modi’s France Visit Before US Trip
Before landing in the US, PM Modi completed a three-day visit to France, where he met US Vice President JD Vance. Following their meeting, he joined Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance for coffee.
During the visit, Modi also presented gifts to the Vance children and wished their son, Vivek, a happy birthday, as stated in an official White House release.
Behind Scenes in the West Wing lobby — @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse🇺🇸🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ECU0sXsR3p
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) February 13, 2025
