Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant diplomatic tour, beginning with a visit to France from February 10-12, followed by a two-day working visit to the United States from February 12-13, where he will meet President Donald Trump. The visit to the US will be Modi’s first official engagement with Trump since the latter’s return to the Oval Office last month.
Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit to the United States
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Friday, February 7, that PM Modi’s visit to the US will provide further impetus and direction to the India-US bilateral relationship.
“The fact that the Prime Minister has been invited to visit the US within barely three weeks of the new administration taking office shows the importance of the India-US partnership and is also reflective of the bipartisan support this partnership enjoys in the US,” Misri said.
During his visit, PM Modi will meet senior US officials, engage with American business leaders, and interact with the Indian diaspora. Key areas of focus include trade, investment, technology, defence cooperation, counterterrorism, Indo-Pacific security, and people-to-people ties.
“The 5.4 million-strong Indian community in the US and the more than 350,000 Indian students pursuing higher education in American universities further strengthen this bond,” Misri stated.
A joint statement is expected at the conclusion of PM Modi’s visit, outlining future directions for bilateral cooperation. However, the visit comes amid concerns in India over the recent deportation of 104 illegal Indian immigrants from the US.
PM Modi’s France Visit: Strengthening Strategic Ties
Before travelling to the US, the Prime Minsiter will be in France from February 10-12 at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. A key component of the visit will be his co-chairing of the AI Action Summit on February 11-12, where global leaders will discuss the governance of artificial intelligence, culminating in a leaders’ declaration.
Additional engagements in France include:
- A state dinner hosted by President Macron on February 10.
- A joint address at the India-France CEO’s Forum to enhance business collaborations.
- The inauguration of India’s new consulate in Marseilles on February 11.
- A visit to Cadarache, home to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a major global scientific collaboration in which India is a key partner.
Significance of the Diplomatic Tour
PM Modi’s back-to-back visits to two key global powers highlight India’s strategic diplomatic engagements on multiple fronts. His meeting with President Trump is expected to reinforce strong bilateral ties, particularly in economic and security domains. In France, the AI Action Summit will position India as a crucial player in the governance and development of artificial intelligence on a global scale.
