During U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term, he invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States and held a massive rally in Houston, Texas, with considerable fanfare. In turn, Modi hosted Trump in New Delhi as well as in Ahmedabad, in his home state of Gujarat.
Both visits were marked by bravado but were shallow on issues of substance. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two leaders, who place much stock in personal diplomacy, remained downright friendly, even as Trump apparently in private caricatured Modi’s accented English.
So, while Trump disassociates himself with any policy initiated or endorsed by former President Joe Biden, at least one issue remains a constant: the distrust of China and the need to rely on India as a possible strategic bulwark.
Despite this, Indian officials thinking that Trump would feel unfettered in his second term ensured that Modi visited the United States in early February. During this trip, Modi said that U.S.-India trade could reach $500 billion by 2030—probably to appease Trump. At the U.S. president’s urging, Modi also tentatively agreed to purchase an unspecified number of F-35 fighter jets from the United States.
Still, some wrinkles in the U.S.-India relationship remain. First is the issue of illegal immigration from India. Despite a domestic political uproar initially, Modi’s government has quietly accepted the harsh deportation of hundreds of undocumented Indian immigrants. Second is the matter of H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. India, which is the largest recipient of these visas, obviously wants few curbs on them, even as Trump associates speak out against them.
As Trump completes the first 100 days of his second term, the U.S. relationship with India—though still cordial—appears a bit more fraught. As he threatens trade wars, Trump has referred to India as the “tariff king,” and more recently, a report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative highlighted a range of trade barriers that have hobbled U.S. exports to India. Trade talks between Washington and New Delhi are ongoing.
After Trump’s April 9 announcement that he would pause hefty tariff increases for 90 days, Indian interlocutors will no doubt be scrambling to extend this relief.
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