PM Modi and President Trump Hold High-Profile Talks at the White House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump held significant bilateral discussions at the White House on Friday, covering key global and regional issues, including trade, defense, and immigration.

Welcoming PM Modi with a warm embrace, President Trump expressed his appreciation for India’s leader, stating, “We missed you a lot.” Before issuing a joint statement, both leaders engaged with global media in the Oval Office, where China became a major topic of discussion.

#WATCH | Washington, DC: 'How are you going to fight China if you are going to be tough with India on trade ?' - US President Donald Trump answers.

"We are in a very great shape to beat anybody we want. But we are not looking to beat anybody, we are looking to do a really good… pic.twitter.com/CcEppPXPnE

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

Trump’s Stern Response on China

When asked about U.S.-China trade relations, President Trump delivered a strong yet diplomatic response.

“We are in a very great shape to beat anybody we want. But we are not looking to beat anybody,” Trump remarked, without directly mentioning China. “We are here for doing a good job.”

His comments come at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and China, following the imposition of new tariffs on Chinese imports.

Recent U.S.-China Trade War Developments

The U.S. recently imposed sweeping 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing. In response, China:

Imposed a 10% tariff on American crude oil

Added a 15% duty on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal

Announced an ‘anti-monopoly’ probe into Alphabet’s Google

Amidst the escalating trade war, global financial markets faced significant volatility. On February 5, President Trump stated that he was in "no hurry" to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the tensions.

“That’s fine,” Trump said, signaling a firm stance on the ongoing trade dispute.

                                                                                                                                  Key Issues Discussed Between Modi and Trump

During PM Modi’s two-day visit to Washington, the leaders discussed several crucial topics, including:

Strengthening India-U.S. Defense Cooperation

The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to defense collaboration, with discussions on:
 Increasing military sales to India
 India’s potential acquisition of F-35 fighter jets
 Joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region

Trade and Economic Partnership

PM Modi and President Trump explored ways to enhance bilateral trade, focusing on:
 Reducing trade barriers and finalizing a mutually beneficial agreement
 Expanding U.S. investments in India’s infrastructure and technology sectors

Addressing Illegal Immigration

The leaders addressed concerns related to illegal immigration, discussing:
 Strengthening border security measures
 Ensuring a fair visa policy for Indian professionals in the U.S.

Read More: Muslim Body in Bihar Rejects Nitish Kumar's Iftaar Invitation Over Waqf Bill Controversy