Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United States on February 12-13 for talks with President Donald Trump, focusing on trade, defense, and technology ties. However, the trip is clouded by the recent deportation of over 100 Indian nationals on a U.S. military aircraft, with hundreds more facing removal orders.
- Mass Deportations:
- This week, 104 Indians were deported in shackles on a U.S. military plane in what American authorities labeled a national security operation.
- India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the U.S. has identified up to 487 more presumed Indian citizens for deportation.
- Over the past 16 years, more than 15,000 Indians have been deported from the U.S., with record numbers during Trump’s first term.
- H-1B Visa Concerns:
- India seeks more H-1B visas for skilled professionals, especially in the IT sector, as Indians constitute the largest recipients of these work permits.
- Trump recently expressed support for the visa program, easing concerns over restrictions.
- Trade Negotiations and Tariff Disputes:
- The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $118 billion in 2023-24. India holds a $32 billion trade surplus with the U.S.
- India is working to prevent new U.S. tariffs, as Trump previously criticized India’s high duties on American goods.
- New Delhi is reviewing import tariffs on over 30 items, including luxury cars, solar cells, and chemicals, to ease tensions.
- Defense and Strategic Ties:
- Trump and Modi discussed India’s purchase of U.S. security equipment during a January 27 phone call.
- India remains a key U.S. ally in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Before heading to Washington, Modi will travel to Paris from February 10-12 for an AI Summit and a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
As Modi prepares for his U.S. visit, the deportation controversy threatens to dominate discussions, potentially impacting the broader India-U.S. relationship.