Trump invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet in Washington, DC, next week, the Reuters news agency reports, citing an unnamed White House official.
Trump and Modi spoke on January 27, with Trump stressing the importance of India buying more US-made security equipment to balance out bilateral trade.
Trade between the countries surpassed $118bn in 2023-24, with India posting a $32b surplus. The US is India’s largest trading partner.
New Dehli, a strategic partner for the US in its efforts to counter China, is eager to avoid tariffs that Trump has threatened in the past, citing India’s high tariffs on US products.
India is also eager to make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas – known as H-1B visas – in the US.
The Indian government is yet to comment on Trump’s invitation.
