PM Modi - Trump Meeting: From Energy, Defence, Tesla To Tariff, Here Are 5 Key Things To Expect

PM Modi - Trump Meeting: After France's AI Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will land in the United States to meet the world's largest economy's 47th leader, Donald Trump who has grabbed the limelight all over the world due to his stringent tariff plans and policies. The visit of PM Modi to Trump is pivotal and highlights the priority of the two countries to strengthen trade ties and boost their relationship. Ahead of this meeting, there are a host of events that need urgent attention from Trump and Modi to ensure efficient and strong India - US strategic bilateral ties.

PM Modi's US Trip Schedule:

His arrival in the United States of America is scheduled for the evening of February 12, while his meeting with Donald Trump is likely to take place on February 13. The meeting will be held in the White House of Washington DC.

Modi becomes the fourth foreign leader to visit Trump during his 2.0 at the White House. Before him, Trump met Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Shigeru Ishiba of Japan. Trump has also met Jordan's King Abdullah.

What To Expect From PM Modi - Trump Meeting:

Dr Chietigj Bajpaee, a senior research fellow for South Asia in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, in his post said, "With Trump placing less value on traditional partners, India is well positioned as a member of a coalition of like-minded states."

Bajpaee added, "Both Trump and Modi are strongman leaders with shared perceptions of China and radical Islam as existential threats, a mutual animosity of the liberal media and civil society, well-entrenched economic nationalism and a value-neutral foreign policy dictated by self-interest. Indians are among those most positive about a second Trump term, according to a recent survey."

Here are 5 key expectations:

1. Energy Imports:

As per Bajpaee, Modi would calm the waters related to Trump's accusation of India's trade surplus with the US. He believes Modi will likely address this criticism with offers to buy more American goods, most notably energy and defence products.

As per reports, India is likely to propose hiking energy products imports from the US, which is estimated at $11 billion in the first eleven months of 2024, to ease trade imbalances. Also, a Reuters report revealed that India may push its oil and gas companies to buy more US LNG, buoyed by the Trump administration's lifting of export permit bans for new projects.

India is the fourth largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

2. Immigrant Solution:

The second expectation could be related to minimising the threat of illegal migrants. India is among the largest in both legal and illegal immigrants in the USA. For instance, as per the Chatham House report, India is the third-largest source of illegal migrants into the US after Mexico and El Salvador.

That being said, Bajpaee believes India is likely to be more forthcoming in seeking solutions with Washington on illegal migration as the Modi government has been vocal in highlighting on its own illegal migration problem.

3. Defence Strengthening:

Another key expectation is to strengthen the purchase of defence products from the US.

Mark Rubio, the 72nd United States secretary of State, last year introduced the US-India Defense Corporation Act in the Senate. He backed deepening the defence collaboration between the two countries.

Also, at the Aero India 2025 show, the US Chargé d'Affaires Jorgan K Andrews said, "President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have discussed the need to deepen defence trade between our nations. I am happy to report that, from small start-ups to robust public sector undertakings and the expanding private defence sector, bilateral defence trade is growing," reported by PTI.

Hence, major development could be expected related to defence products.

4. Investments, AI, Tesla Entry In India:

Another key discussion between Modi and Trump could be related to the strengthening of investment between the two countries.

As per Reuters, India will likely propose facilitating investments by Indian companies in the U.S., highlighting their billion-dollar investments in steel, garment, and contract manufacturing sectors.

Further, Elon Musk is also likely to meet PM Modi to discuss Tesla's entry into the Indian market. Also, discussion related to satellite spectrum allocation for Musk's Starlink project could be on the cards.

Bajpaee also believes that India would look to strengthen its AI position after the intense shock in the sector due to China's DeepSeek platform. He believes India would try to leverage the recent shock to promote its own AI credentials.

Notably, the US, UK and European Union in recent years have shifted their focus to technology agreements with India, a move to shift away from the China factor. Last year in October, CEO Jensen Huang of the world's largest AI Nvidia which is based in the US, called India dear to the world's computer industry and believes the country is poised to become a leader in AI exportation in the future.

5. Tariffs:

One of the key concerns that have emerged for India is Trump's latest tariff of 25% on steel and aluminium products. Modi is likely to discuss easing tariff plans with Trump. India may reduce tariffs on many products as well.

A Charles Schwab report said, "There could be more to come with Trump having threatened across-the-board import tariffs that would apply to all U.S. imports and imposing tariffs on U.S. imports equal to rates that trading partners impose on U.S. exports he has referred to as "reciprocal tariffs." Although the latter could potentially move tariffs lower if other countries lower their tariff rates in response to the threat, as India already did in early February on some products and the European Union (EU) reportedly discussed regarding autos.