Modi, Trump to meet on June 26
Prime Minister Nar endra Modi and President Donald Trump will meet for the first time on June 26 during the Indian leader’s two-day visit to the United States, with their discussions expected to set the agenda for strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.
“Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US,” the external affairs ministry said on Monday.
Terrorism is expected to figure on the agenda of both countries, according to officials and experts. The issue of America’s H-1B visas for highly skilled foreigners could be next for India, and trade for the US. The US has emerged as a top arms supplier to India and the two sides will be looking to move forward with deals such as unarmed drones that India wants for its navy, Reuters reported citing sources in New Delhi.
Equally important, the two leaders, who have spoken three times on phone since Trump’s election last November, will use the meeting to strike a personal rapport for the future. Their officials have met and interacted over phone multiple times.
The US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and Trump’s harsh remarks could come up, but Indian officials have said that climate change was never going to figure prominently in discussions with this White House, knowing where it stands on the issue.
Monday’s announcement ends speculation about the timing of Modi’s visit, which had been known for a while but had remained officially unconfirmed and unannounced by both sides for an unusually protracted period of time.
New Delhi has indicated in news reports in the run up to the announcement it would discuss terrorism as it has in all interactions with the Trump administration, including during National Security Adviser HR McMaster’s recent visit to India.
Also expected to be brought up by India will be H-1B visas.