Preparations for PM Modi’s US visit after Paris AI summit in final stages
India and the United States are finalizing plans for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington this month, which is expected to take place immediately after his participation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris on February 10-11.
A White House visit was among the key topics discussed during PM Modi’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on January 27, highlighting the strength of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
“The two sides are working on an early visit of the Prime Minister to the United States to further deepen the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. Specific dates for this visit are still being worked out and will be announced at the appropriate time,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing on Friday.
The visit is expected to reinforce the close personal bond between the two leaders, with PM Modi likely to be among the first foreign leaders to visit the White House during President Trump’s second term. Trump has already vowed to strengthen the partnership with India and continue the close ties he built in his first term.
Strengthening India-US ties under Trump’s second term
Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla emphasized the significance of Modi’s upcoming visit, highlighting India’s proactive engagement with the new US administration.
“We have hit the ground running, with External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar attending the inaugural ceremony at Capitol Hill and the invitation extended to Prime Minister Modi for a standalone visit to the United States so soon after President Trump assumed office,” Shringla told IANS in an exclusive interview.
He further noted that Trump’s second term presents unique opportunities for advancing bilateral relations, particularly with India hosting the Quad Summit later this year.
“Trump 2.0 offers us some unique opportunities. He has come in with an unfettered mandate, and since this is his legacy term, he has the scope and opportunity to take the India-US relationship significantly forward. Both sides are eager to strengthen the comprehensive global strategic partnership,” Shringla added.
Strong personal chemistry between Modi and Trump
Shringla emphasized the personal rapport between Modi and Trump, recalling major events like ‘Howdy Modi’ in Houston and ‘Namaste Trump’ in Ahmedabad in 2020 as milestones in their relationship.
“Successive Prime Ministers and Presidents have put their personal weight behind India-US relations, but there is a special chemistry between Modi and Trump. They have a lot of mutual admiration and respect, which forms the basis for a substantial enhancement of bilateral ties,” he said.
The January 27 phone call between Modi and Trump was their second conversation since Trump’s re-election, the first taking place in November 2024 after his victory.
With both leaders committed to deepening strategic cooperation, Modi’s upcoming visit is expected to lay the groundwork for high-level engagements and key bilateral decisions in the months ahead.
