The much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "dear friend" Donald Trump was rich in optics, as expected. A warm hug and a firm handshake marked Modi’s arrival at the White House, but the undercurrent of tension was unmistakable following Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs on India. Adding to the frosty atmosphere, the temperature in Washington DC was just 1 degree Celsius.
From the moment PM Modi landed in the United States, the visit seemed highly dynamic. At Blair House, where he was staying, the US flag was replaced with the Indian tricolor in a rare diplomatic gesture. Key meetings were lined up with top Trump administration officials, including tech mogul Elon Musk and US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. The agenda ranged from trade and defense to technology and strategic cooperation, underscoring the deepening ties between the two nations.
Despite the looming tariffs, the camaraderie between the two leaders was on full display. Trump greeted Modi enthusiastically, repeating, "We missed you, we missed you a lot... It's great to see you again," before introducing him to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Elon Musk, and other key officials. In a moment that quickly became viral on social media, Trump pulled out a chair for Modi before their bilateral talks, a personal touch that underscored the warmth between them.
Trump’s gift to Modi also carried sentimental value. He presented the Prime Minister with a book titled Our Journey Together, a collection of photographs and moments from Trump’s rallies during his first presidential term. The gesture reflected the nostalgic bond between the two leaders, bringing back memories of their past public events, including the 'Howdy, Modi!' rally in Houston and 'Namaste Trump!' in Ahmedabad.
The mutual admiration extended into the joint press conference, where Modi played to the audience with his signature wordplay. Borrowing from Trump's famous campaign slogan "MAGA" (Make America Great Again), Modi put his own spin on it. "In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in the American context translates into MIGA (Make India Great Again). When the US and India work together, this MAGA plus MIGA becomes a 'MEGA' partnership for prosperity," he declared, drawing applause.
Trump, known for his love of grand statements, responded in kind. "He is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest," he said, acknowledging Modi’s diplomatic skills. The exchange harked back to their first-term bonhomie, where Modi and Trump publicly praised each other at large rallies, showcasing the strength of the India-US relationship.
However, beneath the camaraderie lay pressing trade concerns. Hours before the meeting, Trump announced a set of reciprocal tariffs, targeting India directly. Addressing reporters, he stated bluntly, "India is at the top of the pack when it comes to tariffs," signaling his intent to push for tougher trade negotiations. The move is expected to impact Indian exports to the US, particularly in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, given that the US remains India’s largest export destination.
At the joint briefing, Trump remained unyielding on trade. "Whatever India charges, we charge them. So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge," he said in his characteristic style. He also highlighted the trade deficit, stating, "Today, the US trade deficit with India is almost USD 100 billion, and Prime Minister Modi and I have agreed that we will be negotiating to address the long-running disparities." His remarks made it clear that while the optics of friendship remained strong, economic tensions between the two countries were far from resolved.
Despite Trump’s mix of praise and pressure, PM Modi remained composed and focused on the broader picture. As he departed for India, he summarized the key takeaway from the visit: "Adding significant momentum to the India-USA friendship." The meeting may have had its moments of tension, but it reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the world’s two largest democracies, ensuring that trade negotiations will continue in the coming months.
