Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, aiming to secure trade concessions and strengthen ties amid rising tariff tensions. Modi’s visit comes as Trump pushes for reciprocal tariffs, targeting countries with high duties on U.S. imports, including India.

Trump welcomed Modi to the White House, hours after unveiling a new tariff roadmap that could impact Indian exports. Trump has previously criticized India’s trade policies, calling the country a “very big abuser” and citing high tariffs as a barrier to U.S. business.

Modi’s delegation arrived with proposed trade concessions, including increased purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas, combat vehicles, and jet engines. Indian officials are also exploring tariff reductions in sectors like electronics, medical equipment, and chemicals, as well as potential deals on U.S. agricultural exports and nuclear energy investment.

Strategic & Security Issues

The leaders also discussed defense cooperation, with Trump officials highlighting energy and security partnerships as key to balancing trade deficits.

Modi’s visit comes amid growing scrutiny of billionaire Gautam Adani, who faces U.S. bribery charges, and concerns over an alleged Indian intelligence plot to assassinate a Sikh activist in the U.S., a claim India denies.

The China factor remains critical, as both nations view Beijing’s military expansion with caution. Modi is wary of Trump striking a China trade deal that could sideline India, while Trump sees India as a key counterweight to Beijing.

Modi also met with Elon Musk, whose Starlink project is eyeing the Indian market, and Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, to discuss counterterrorism and cybersecurity.

With a $45.6 billion trade deficit, U.S.-India relations face tough negotiations, as both sides navigate a complex mix of economic and geopolitical stakes.

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