PM Modi Meets Donald Trump; Trade, Tariffs And Immigration On Agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met today for the first time since Trump returned to the White House for a second term. PM Modi is one of the first global leaders to travel to the US for an official visit and meet Donald Trump after his electoral win. 

The two leaders are holding bilateral talks at the White House where they will discuss the entire gamut of ties. The focus however, shall be on trade, tariffs, and immigration.

The two leaders shook hands and hugged each other before they sat together and addressed the international press at the White House immediately before holding bilateral talks. "I appreciate how President Trump always keeps his country first. I do the same - that is something that we have in common," PM Modi said, to which Donald Trump added that "He is doing a great job in India and he (PM Modi) and I share a great friendship and we will continue to build on ties between our nations."

Just over an hour before the bilateral meeting, President Trump officially announced reciprocal tariffs on all nations. He also spoke about how India is "right at the top of the pack" when it comes to tariffs. PM Modi's priority during the meeting is likely to be to negotiate any punitive trade action by Washington against India, with the aim to avoid high tariffs and expand the trade basket.