Modi and Trump Discuss Strengthening Ties Amidst Renewed Presidency “`

January 30, 2025 by No Comments

President Trump’s return to office has spurred global reactions, but India maintains a positive outlook on his second term. Within a week of his inauguration, India indicated its willingness to adapt to his transactional diplomatic approach.

Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive phone call on Monday, focusing on expanding and strengthening their cooperation.

According to a White House statement, the leaders discussed geopolitical matters and bilateral trade. Trump emphasized the need for India to increase purchases of American security equipment to address the trade imbalance. This call was reportedly among Trump’s first with foreign leaders since his return to power.

Expectations for U.S.-India relations are high under Trump’s presidency. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, noted the strong personal rapport between Trump and Modi, citing their similar ideologies and governing styles.

Modi and Trump share a strong relationship. Trump himself confirmed a “very good relationship with India” to reporters on Air Force One after the call.

In 2020, Modi hosted a rally for Trump in Gujarat, where both leaders expressed mutual admiration before a crowd exceeding 110,000. The previous year, Trump compared Modi’s crowd-drawing ability to Elvis Presley at a joint rally in Texas. However, Trump’s strict immigration policies are causing some concern in India.

The Pew Research Center indicates India is a major source of immigration to the U.S. An estimated 725,000 Indians were living in the U.S. illegally in 2022, and Customs and Border Patrol encountered almost 90,500 Indian citizens in fiscal year 2024. Concerns also exist regarding common legal immigration pathways for Indians, a frequently debated topic among Trump’s supporters. Trump, however, downplayed these concerns on Monday, expressing confidence that India will “do what is right.”

Trade presents another potential point of conflict in U.S.-India relations.

The day after his call with Modi, Trump criticized India, China, and Brazil as major tariff imposers. Speaking to House Republicans in Florida, Trump stated these nations harm the U.S. with high tariffs and vowed to retaliate, emphasizing an “America First” approach.

Trump had threatened high tariffs on imported goods during his campaign and labeled India a “very big abuser.” During his first term, he called India the “tariff king” amidst trade disputes, revoking India’s special trade privileges in 2019. India responded by imposing tariffs on over two dozen U.S. goods.

India, as a rising global power, seeks to improve trade ties with the U.S., particularly given Trump’s global tariff threats. Trump has suggested a universal 10% or 20% tax on all international imports, impacting India as well. India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, aims to increase bilateral trade with the U.S. while reducing its reliance on China, its top trading partners.

Recent legal issues have also strained relations. Last year, American prosecutors accused Indian government officials of plotting to assassinate an American citizen on U.S. soil. Months later, the Justice Department indicted Indian tycoon Gautam Adani on fraud and bribery charges. Despite these challenges, the bilateral relationship persists.

Kugelman points out that challenges remain, including those inherited from the Biden administration, such as the Justice Department’s investigation into alleged Indian government involvement in a murder-for-hire plot, and new ones related to trade. However, he notes India’s proactive measures to mitigate potential tensions.

Since Trump’s inauguration, India has indicated it would consider lowering tariffs, repatriating some illegal Indian immigrants, and increasing U.S. oil imports to reduce reliance on Russia.

As India strengthens its defense, technology, and trade relationships with the U.S., it expresses confidence in its ability to navigate Trump’s “America First” administration. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar stated days after the November election that unlike many other countries, India is not nervous about the U.S.

Washington sees India, the world’s largest democracy, as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. Trump largely overlooks policies considered problematic by other global leaders, aligning with Modi on nationalistic pride.

Kugelman stated that the U.S. and India will continue to share strong policy and strategic common ground, particularly in countering China.

Trump’s administration includes prominent Indian-Americans. His nominee for FBI director faces a crucial Senate confirmation hearing. If confirmed, he would be the FBI’s first Indian American director and its youngest. Trump has also appointed Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health and Harmeet K. Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Others, like former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and senior policy advisor for AI, Sriram Krishnan, hold significant advisory roles. While offering hope to Indian immigrants, Krishnan has become a controversial figure within the MAGA movement. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance’s wife, Usha, is the first woman of Indian origin to be second lady.

India remains optimistic about strengthening its relationship with the U.S. under Trump, seeing it as an opportunity to advance its global strategic interests. Modi is expected to meet with Trump soon, and Trump is expected to visit India later this year for an event hosted by New Delhi.

Kugelman observes that India’s willingness to consider concessions highlights its commitment to a strong partnership with Washington under the second Trump administration.