WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump has said that PM Narendra Modi will do “what is right” on illegal immigrants, underlining that discussions are going on with India.
Making these remarks on Monday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Joint Base Andrews from Florida, Trump also mentioned that Modi is likely to visit the White House in Feb. Trump told House Republicans at a Florida retreat on Monday that the US would impose tariffs on countries that “harm” America, naming China, India and Brazil as high-tariff countries. “We are going to put tariffs on outside countries and outside people that really mean harm to us. Look at what others do. China is a tremendous tariff maker, and India and Brazil and so many other countries. So, we’re not going to let that happen any longer because we’re going to put America first,” he said.
The remarks followed his phone conversation with Modi in which, as the White House said in a statement, Trump called upon India to increase its procurement of American-made security equipment and move towards a “fair bilateral trading relationship”. The leaders discussed plans for PM Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of friendship & strategic ties between our nations, said the White House.
PM Modi is coming to White House, probably in Feb, says Trump
While talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked if Modi has agreed to take illegal immigrants. “He (Modi) will do what’s right. We are discussing,” said the president.
“I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably Feb. We have a very good relationship with India,” he told reporters. Responding to a question on the phone call he had with Modi on Monday, Trump told reporters, “Everything came up (in a phone call with Modi).” The PM’s trip to the US, the first under Trump 2.0, was finalised during the call.
“President Donald J Trump held a productive call with PM Modi . They discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe,” said White House readout.
Both Modi and Trump emphasised their commitment to advance US-India strategic ties and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India set to host Quad representatives for the first time later this year. Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration’s approach to immigration and tariffs. Trump has already talked about slapping “100% tariffs” on BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well.
During a weekly press briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal referred to India’s ongoing dialogue with the US on matters related to trade and immigration and expressed hope that both sides will be able to address any issue. Trade occupies a special place within the strong and multi-faceted India-US relationship, and the two sides reached a record level of trade in goods and services worth $190 billion in 2023, Jaiswal said.
