The Modi – Trump Meeting

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 16)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Trump White House on February 12-13 marks one of the earliest high-level engagements of Trump’s second term.

Analysis of the news:

Personal Rapport and Strategic Importance

• Modi and Trump share a personal rapport, built through past high-profile visits, such as the Howdy Modi event in Houston (2019) and Trump’s Ahmedabad visit (2020).

• While this relationship can facilitate smoother negotiations, Trump’s second-term agenda is more aggressive, requiring a pragmatic diplomatic approach from India.

Immigration and Deportation Concerns

• The US has begun deporting illegal Indian immigrants, with a recent batch of 104 individuals sent back in shackles, creating a politically sensitive issue for India.

• With over 7.25 lakh illegal Indian immigrants in the US, India seeks humane treatment for deportees while ensuring legal channels for student and work visas remain unaffected.

• Modi is likely to press for better treatment of Indian migrants while maintaining compliance with international law.

Trade Tensions and Tariff Challenges

• Trump’s strong stance on tariffs remains a key concern.

• With a $200 billion bilateral trade relationship, Trump is frustrated by India’s $40-50 billion trade surplus.

• His recent imposition of a 25% tariff on aluminium and steel imports has alarmed Indian industries.

• India has already reduced some tariffs, such as on high-end motorcycles, but a broader trade agreement is needed to balance market access and protectionist policies.

Strategic Alignment on China

• Trump was the first US President to explicitly label China as a strategic threat.

• India shares similar concerns over China’s regional aggression, making strategic cooperation a key agenda item.

• Modi and Trump are expected to discuss deepening the Quad alliance (India, US, Australia, Japan) and enhancing India-US defense ties, particularly in drone technology and other military procurements.

Technology and Critical Sectors Cooperation

• India and the US continue to collaborate on emerging technologies, including AI, space, and quantum computing.

• With China competing fiercely in these sectors, India seeks greater technology-sharing and investment from the US to strengthen its position in the global AI race.

Conclusion:

• Modi’s visit comes at a time of both strategic opportunities and diplomatic challenges.

• While Trump’s transactional approach to trade and immigration poses difficulties, India’s alignment with US strategic interests, particularly concerning China and technology, offers room for deeper cooperation.

• The success of this visit will depend on India’s ability to balance negotiations on trade, defense, and migration while strengthening long-term bilateral ties.

Practice Question: Evaluate the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in the context of strengthening bilateral relations with the Trump administration. What are the key challenges and opportunities in trade, immigration, and strategic cooperation between India and the US? (250 Words /15 marks)