PM Modi speaks to Donald Trump days after second inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Donald Trump on Monday
Donald Trump shakes hands with PM Narendra Modi
Donald Trump shakes hands with PM Narendra ModiFile |AP
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Donald Trump on Monday, a week after Trump’s second inauguration as US President, reported agencies.

Prime Minister emphasized New Delhi's dedication to a "mutually beneficial and trusted partnership" with Washington.

"Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security," PM Modi posted on X.

This was the first conversation between the two leaders since Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Donald Trump started his second term as US President last Monday by signing a series of executive orders aimed at overhauling immigration policies, including changes to H1-B visas, which enable companies to hire foreign professionals with specific skills.

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India, one of the largest sources of legal migration to the US, has also seen tens of thousands of its citizens entering the country illegally in recent years via the Canadian and Mexican borders.

Following Donald Trump's inauguration, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday. During the meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to repatriating its citizens living illegally in the US and stressed the importance of cooperation on migration issues.

In response to reports suggesting that India was working with the Trump administration to deport approximately 18,000 Indians who are undocumented or have overstayed their visas, Jaishankar, remarked on Wednesday, "India seeks to provide maximum opportunities for its talent and skills on the global stage, but we are firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration."

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Jaishankar added, "we have always taken the view that if any of our citizens are here illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India."

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in a readout after Tuesday's meeting that Mr Rubio had "emphasized the Trump administration's desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration."

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