Trade Ties in Focus Ahead of Modi-Trump Meeting

AHEAD OF MODI'S VISIT, FINANCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN ANNOUNCED MEASURES IN THE BUDGET FOR 2025-26 THAT COULD BENEFIT US MAJORS SUCH AS HARLEY-DAVIDSON, TESLA AND APPLE, SIGNALLING INDIA'S COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Trade, enhanced purchases of US-made military hardware and energy cooperation are shaping up as the main issues for the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, people familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Modi, who began a two-nation visit to France and the US on Monday, is set to meet Trump on February 13, with both sides looking to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said last week that the Indian side expects "a more intense and continuing conversation" with the US on matters including trade, investment, technology, defence, energy, space and geopolitical strategies.

Illegal immigration is expected to be another significant area of discussion. The US last week sent 104 illegal Indian immigrants back to the country, and similar action is likely against nearly 600 others on the US's final "removal" list, Indian officials said.