NEW DELHI: India should look at buying more American security equipment to make the bilateral trade ties equitable, US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his telephone call on Monday, the White House said.
Separately, Trump told reporters that Modi might visit the US in February. Sources said both countries are looking at finalising dates for a meeting in February or March.
Responding to a query, Trump said he and Modi discussed various issues including immigration. The US president said he hopes Modi “will do what’s right” regarding the return of Indians who came to the US illegally.
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his stance on imposing tariffs on countries that ‘harm’ the US. Speaking to House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday, he called out China and Brazil for having high tariffs. He also put India in this category, signalling the complex nature of diplomatic negotiations ahead.
In its statement on the Modi-Trump telecon, the White House said it was a productive call. It said the two leaders expressed their desire to deepen bilateral cooperation and discussed important issues including security in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Europe.
“The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship,” it said.
The US is India’s largest trade partner and the two-way trade between the two nations surpassed $118 billion in 2023-24, with India recording $32 billion surplus.
The White House said Trump and Modi emphasised their commitment to “advance the US-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year.”
PM to visit U.S.
Trump said Modi is likely to visit the US in February. According to sources, both sides are working to finalise mutually convenient dates in February or March
