NEW DELHI: Nuclear cooperation, trade, mobility issues, defence and critical technology will be the top priorities during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US starting February 12.
PM Modi will travel to Washington after concluding his two-day visit to Paris on February 10 and 11, where he will attend the AI Action Summit.
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Modi's visit will give further impetus and direction to India-US bilateral relationship. This will be the first meeting between the leaders after Trump came back to power for a second term.
India is set to work closer with both France and the United States to advance nuclear cooperation, following the Union government's announcement to amend the nuclear liability law and encourage private sector investment in the nuclear sector.
The amendment to the nuclear liability law, which currently allows the plant operator, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), to seek compensation for faulty design or equipment from the suppliers, could attract companies such as GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Electricité de France SA, and Westinghouse Electric Co. to supply reactors for the construction of large power plants in the country.
“Small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors are subject of discussion both with France and the US, and we expect these discussions to progress in the coming months,” the Foreign Secretary said.
"PM Modi will pay an official working visit to the US on February 12 and 13. This will be the first visit of PM Modi to the US after the inauguration of second presidential term of President Donald Trump. The PM would be among the first few world leaders to visit the US following the inauguration of President Trump,” Misri said at a special briefing.
During the U.S. visit, Modi and Trump will discuss trade, defence cooperation and technology, among other issues, he said. Trump spoke with Modi on January 27, when the US President brought up immigration and the need for India to buy more American-made security equipment. The first batch of deportees since Trump returned to power was sent back on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister will arrive in Paris on the evening of February 10 and attend a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Following the AI Summit, Modi and Macron will hold a bilateral summit and address the India-France CEO's Forum.
"They will also engage in discussions in both restricted and delegation-level formats. This visit will take the Prime Minister beyond Paris... The two leaders will also jointly inaugurate India's newest consulate general in Marseille," Misri added.
After wrapping up his visit to France, Modi will travel to the United States for an official working visit on February 12-13.
