PM Modi Likely To Visit US In February, Says President Donald Trump After Telephonic Talks

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday (local time) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States in February.

"He (PM Modi) will visit the US sometime in February," Reuters quoted Donald Trump as saying.

Photo Credit: PTI

Trump's statement followed a telephone conversation with PM Modi, their first since the Republican leader was sworn in for a second term on 20 January.

The call came amidst speculation in diplomatic circles about India working to arrange an early meeting between the two leaders.

Meanwhile, President Trump noted that immigration was discussed during the conversation, stating that India would do "what is right" regarding the repatriation of "illegal immigrants."

The US President's firm stance on tackling illegal immigration is widely believed to have been a key factor in his return to the White House, four years after losing to Democrat Joe Biden as the incumbent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last visit to the US took place in September of the previous year, during which he attended the fourth Quad Leaders' summit, hosted by then-President Joe Biden. The summit was also attended by Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, and then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In addition, PM Modi addressed the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar represented the Indian government at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C.

White House on Trump-Modi call

According to a statement from the White House, President Trump and PM Modi had a "productive call," discussing ways to "expand and deepen" cooperation between the two nations.

The statement also mentioned discussions about a potential visit by PM Modi to the US.

"The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations. Both leaders emphasised their commitment to advance the US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year," the statement said.