Speaking to US President Donald Trump on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to work for world peace, prosperity, and security. Amid fears in India over Trump’s vow to raise taxes on imports from India and other countries, as well as potential conflict over illegal immigration, Modi stated in a post on X that both sides are dedicated to a mutually productive and trustworthy alliance.

This was Modi’s first discussion with “my dear friend” Trump since his inauguration on January 20. While ties with the United States are projected to strengthen during the second Trump term, concerns linger about Trump’s potentially disruptive trade policies and promises to deport millions.

According to the White House, Trump emphasised the need of India expanding its acquisition of American-made security equipment and working towards a “fair bilateral trading relationship”.

The White House readout said, “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.”

“Delighted to speak with my dear friend President Donald Trump,” said Modi in a post on X on Monday evening.

Modi and Trump addressed several aspects of the broad bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, as well as strategies to develop it, including technology, commerce, investment, energy, and military, according to the Indian government in a readout.

The two presidents discussed global concerns, especially the situation in West Asia and Ukraine, and decided to meet shortly.

The discussion took place ahead of a prospective meeting between the two presidents on the sidelines of the AI conference, which France will host next month. Trump has been invited to the meeting, and Modi has already confirmed his presence. India and the United States are also in diplomatic contact, with Modi planning a bilateral visit to the United States in the coming months, long before Trump visits India for the Quad summit later this year.

It also came after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his counterpart Marco Rubio, during which the former highlighted concerns about the delay in granting of US visas to Indian people while Rubio questioned illegal migration from India.

While India is willing to take back illegal migrants, as it was during the Biden administration and even earlier under the first Trump presidency, it needs adequate time to authenticate the Indian provenance of the 18,000 illegals identified by US authorities for deportation to India.

While the Indian government want to collaborate with US authorities to solve the issue, it has distanced itself from the number, stating that any talk of numbers would be premature at this time.

India continues to be one of the most significant sources of illegal immigration to the United States outside of Latin America.

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Focus on ‘fair trade’ in Modi-Trump call, Indian PM to meet Potus soon