India’s Modi Invited to White House by Trump Next Week

US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House next week, a senior White House official confirmed. The invitation follows a phone call between the two leaders on January 27, during which Trump emphasized key issues, including immigration and the importance of India increasing its purchase of American-made security equipment.

In their discussion, Trump also stressed the need for fair and balanced trade relations between the two nations. India, a key strategic ally in the US's efforts to counter China's growing influence, is eager to deepen economic ties with the United States. The country is particularly focused on facilitating easier access to skilled worker visas for its citizens.

Modi's government is also working to avoid potential tariffs that Trump has previously threatened, citing India's high import duties on US products. Despite these challenges, the US remains India’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade surpassing $118 billion in 2023-24. India’s trade surplus with the US reached $32 billion during the same period, further solidifying the importance of their economic relationship.

The upcoming visit is expected to pave the way for continued cooperation between the two countries on economic, security, and trade matters.