Washington DC:

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to the United States and left for New Delhi, the American media was all praises for the manner in which PM Modi dealt with US President Donald Trump, calling it a “masterclass for other leaders around the world”.

PM Modi, who is one of the first few world leaders to meet Donald Trump and hold bilateral talks, was in Washington on the same day as Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on US’ allies and competitors alike.

President Trump, who has called India a “tariff king” and a “massive abuser of tariffs” in the past, said he was “excited” to see PM Modi. “Prime Minister Modi is a great leader,” he said, adding that “We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”

By the end of the meeting, despite the pressure of Trump’s tariff announcement that same day, PM Modi turned the bilateral meeting into an opportunity. According to the joint statement issued by both nations, the US and India went on to secure significant agreements on trade, energy, defence, security, manufacturing, and technology among others.

Speaking about the manner in which PM Modi dealt with Donald Trump, CNN’s senior journalist Will Ripley said, “I think we have now seen, first with Japanese prime minister Ishiba’s very positive meeting with Trump, and now what apparently is a very positive meeting with Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi – this is a masterclass for other leaders around the world to know how to walk into a negotiation with President Trump.”

He went on to say that “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the assignment. It could’ve been bad. Prime Minister Modi was in DC on the same day Trump announced dreaded reciprocal tariffs. Despite trade friction, both sides walked away with deliverables on a potential trade deal, energy, military, etc.” he wrote on social media website X.

Indian Prime Minister Modi understood the assignment in his 8th meeting with President Trump. It could’ve been bad. Modi was in DC on the same day Trump announced dreaded reciprocal tariffs. Despite trade friction, both sides walked away with deliverables on a potential trade… pic.twitter.com/73xjKfVP6w

— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) February 14, 2025

“By the end of the meeting, we saw that they announced the best possible outcome – that they will fast-track negotiations on a trade deal. India is also getting more US investment in nuclear energy, and also being offered the F-35 (stealth fighter) jets. Both sides came out with gains,” he said.

He also praised PM Modi’s ‘MIGA + MAGA = MEGA – a mega partnership for prosperity’ slogan, saying that “this is exactly the kind of messaging and clever branding that Trump likes to hear”.

Donald Trump also praised PM Modi’s negotiating skills at a press briefing after the two leaders held hour-long bilateral talks where trade for high on the agenda. On being asked by a reporter about who is a tougher negotiator, Donald Trump said, “He (PM Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”

In a joint statement issued by both countries, India and the US have pledged to more than double the two-way trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 and announced plans for a bilateral trade agreement with a view to bring down duties and increase market access in both nations.
 

Washington DC:

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to the United States and left for New Delhi, the American media was all praises for the manner in which PM Modi dealt with US President Donald Trump, calling it a “masterclass for other leaders around the world”.

PM Modi, who is one of the first few world leaders to meet Donald Trump and hold bilateral talks, was in Washington on the same day as Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on US’ allies and competitors alike.

President Trump, who has called India a “tariff king” and a “massive abuser of tariffs” in the past, said he was “excited” to see PM Modi. “Prime Minister Modi is a great leader,” he said, adding that “We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”

By the end of the meeting, despite the pressure of Trump’s tariff announcement that same day, PM Modi turned the bilateral meeting into an opportunity. According to the joint statement issued by both nations, the US and India went on to secure significant agreements on trade, energy, defence, security, manufacturing, and technology among others.

Speaking about the manner in which PM Modi dealt with Donald Trump, CNN’s senior journalist Will Ripley said, “I think we have now seen, first with Japanese prime minister Ishiba’s very positive meeting with Trump, and now what apparently is a very positive meeting with Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi – this is a masterclass for other leaders around the world to know how to walk into a negotiation with President Trump.”

He went on to say that “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the assignment. It could’ve been bad. Prime Minister Modi was in DC on the same day Trump announced dreaded reciprocal tariffs. Despite trade friction, both sides walked away with deliverables on a potential trade deal, energy, military, etc.” he wrote on social media website X.

Indian Prime Minister Modi understood the assignment in his 8th meeting with President Trump. It could’ve been bad. Modi was in DC on the same day Trump announced dreaded reciprocal tariffs. Despite trade friction, both sides walked away with deliverables on a potential trade… pic.twitter.com/73xjKfVP6w

— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) February 14, 2025

“By the end of the meeting, we saw that they announced the best possible outcome – that they will fast-track negotiations on a trade deal. India is also getting more US investment in nuclear energy, and also being offered the F-35 (stealth fighter) jets. Both sides came out with gains,” he said.

He also praised PM Modi’s ‘MIGA + MAGA = MEGA – a mega partnership for prosperity’ slogan, saying that “this is exactly the kind of messaging and clever branding that Trump likes to hear”.

Donald Trump also praised PM Modi’s negotiating skills at a press briefing after the two leaders held hour-long bilateral talks where trade for high on the agenda. On being asked by a reporter about who is a tougher negotiator, Donald Trump said, “He (PM Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”

In a joint statement issued by both countries, India and the US have pledged to more than double the two-way trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 and announced plans for a bilateral trade agreement with a view to bring down duties and increase market access in both nations.
 

Washington DC:

Immediately after their hour-long meeting where US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the entire gamut of India-US bilateral ties, the two leaders held a joint press conference where they took questions from the international media.

With Donald Trump announcing sweeping reciprocal tariffs for all countries as a tit-for-tat trade policy hours before his meeting with PM Modi, one of the questions asked to President Trump was about who is a tougher and better negotiator – him or Prime Minister Modi? To this, the US President swiftly replied “He is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”

#WATCH | Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump says, “He (PM Narendra Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”

(Video: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/V8EzU0FfE9

— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025

Speaking specifically about reciprocal tariffs, President Trump said that “it is only fair that taxes and tariffs are reciprocal.” Explaining his point he said that over time “many attempts have been made” by the US to reduce tariffs on US exports, “but since that has not worked out, we have now decided to reciprocate in the exact same way – something that has not been done before.”

Trade and tariffs have been a top priority for Donald Trump in his efforts to “make America great again”. On multiple occasions in the past, Trump has said “tariff” is his favourite word in the dictionary and that he is convinced they are key to the revival of the US economy.

Even on Thursday evening (US Eastern Time), Donald Trump said “We (US) have been a great economy, the number one in the world – still is – but, ever since Covid, the economy has been under stress. We will now revive it,” he said while answering another question on tariffs.

The two leaders spoke to the press even before the bilateral talks began. Donald Trump praised PM Modi saying “Prime Minister Modi is a great leader,” adding that “We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”

Besides trade and tariffs, the two leaders had a detailed discussion on matters concerning regional and global security, the India-US defence partnership, foreign investment, energy, technology, education, visas, and immigration.

PM Modi is one of the first global leaders to travel to the US for an official visit and meet Donald Trump after his electoral win. This is PM Modi’s 10th visit to the United States as prime minister and fourth with Trump as President.
 

Washington DC:

US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the West Wing lobby in the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday (local time). The two leaders shared a warm hug as they greeted each other.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff shared a picture of PM Modi and Donald Trump on X. While sharing the picture on X, Dan Scavino stated, “Behind Scenes in the West Wing lobby — @POTUS Trump welcomes Prime Minister @NarendraModi of India to the @WhiteHouse.”

The Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived at the White House soon after PM Modi’s arrival.

Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, Indian flags were being put up at the White House. The Prime Minister is among the first few world leaders to visit the United States following President Trump’s inauguration. He has been invited to visit within three weeks of the new administration taking office.

Since November 2024, PM Modi and Donald Trump have spoken on the phone twice. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump as PM Modi’s Special Envoy. During the visit, EAM Jaishankar also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting in January 2025.

Ahead of his meeting with President Trump at the White House, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.

Earlier, a mobile billboard advertising truck in Washington, DC, displayed boards featuring pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump and a message that reads, “Paving the Path for Progress, US-India Alliance in Developing Skilled Workforce” and “Pillars of Friendship, Pathways of Progress.”

PM Modi arrived in the US after concluding his three-day visit to France. During his visit to France, PM Modi met with US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday (local time).

Following the meeting, the two leaders, along with the Second Lady of the United States, Usha Vance, enjoyed coffee together. PM Modi also took the opportunity to share gifts with the Vance children and wished the Vice President’s son, Vivek, a happy birthday, according to the White House statement.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington DC:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met today for the first time since Trump returned to the White House for a second term. PM Modi is one of the first global leaders to travel to the US for an official visit and meet Donald Trump after his electoral win. 

The two leaders are holding bilateral talks at the White House where they will discuss the entire gamut of ties. The focus however, shall be on trade, tariffs, and immigration.

The two leaders shook hands and hugged each other before they sat together and addressed the international press at the White House immediately before holding bilateral talks. “I appreciate how President Trump always keeps his country first. I do the same – that is something that we have in common,” PM Modi said, to which Donald Trump added that “He is doing a great job in India and he (PM Modi) and I share a great friendship and we will continue to build on ties between our nations.”

The two leaders took questions from the media – including one on the Russia-Ukraine War as well as the crisis in Bangladesh and US’s deep state being allegedly involved in it. “The US has not been involved in Bangladesh,” said Donald Trump, adding that “I am leaving the Bangladesh issue to PM Modi” to resolve.

Answering the question on India’s possible role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Modi said “I support Donald Trump’s efforts towards finding a possible solution to end the war. The world somehow feels India has been neutral during the war. But I would like to reiterate that India has not been neutral – instead, it has been on the side of peace.”

“When I met President Putin, I had even said that ‘this is not the era for war’. I had also said that solutions cannot be found in the battlefield. They can only come when all parties sit at the table for dialogue,” he added.

On a question about tariffs and possible trade deals between India and the US, Donald Trump said “Prime Minister Modi is a great leader,” adding that “We’re going to make some wonderful trade deals for India and the US.”

However, just over an hour before the bilateral meeting, President Trump officially announced reciprocal tariffs on all nations. He also spoke about how India is “right at the top of the pack” when it comes to tariffs. PM Modi’s priority during the meeting is likely to be on negotiating favourable deals with Washington, with the aim to avoid high tariffs and expand the trade basket between the two nations.

Matters concerning foreign investment, energy, defence, technology, visas, and immigration are also high on the agenda.

This is PM Modi’s 10th visit to the United States as prime minister and fourth with Trump as President. Biden hosted him at a ceremonial state visit in 2024. PM Modi’s first visit to the US as prime minister was in 2014 when Barack Obama was the President.