Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit to the US Amid Tensions Over Deportation of Indian Nationals
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the United States from February 12 to 13 to engage in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on various matters, including trade, technology, and defense cooperation. The announcement was made by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, during a press conference on Friday.
The visit comes shortly after a controversial incident in which 104 Indian nationals were forcibly deported from the United States via a U.S. military aircraft, an action that has raised concerns within India. Despite the close relations between the two countries, questions were raised during the press conference about why this deportation took place and why the individuals were treated poorly. In response, the Indian spokesperson explained that U.S. authorities had informed the Indian government that President Donald Trump had ordered the deportation of an additional 487 Indian nationals, who could be deported at any time.
According to Indian government data, over the last 16 years, more than 15,000 Indian citizens have been deported from the U.S. The spokesperson clarified that the use of a military aircraft for deportation was considered the fastest option by U.S. officials, as they described the operation as part of national security measures.
Despite the recent tensions, Modi’s visit to Washington is expected to focus on strengthening ties in various sectors. The two leaders are set to discuss key issues, including trade, technology, and defense collaboration. India, which is a major recipient of the U.S.’s H1-B visas, particularly for skilled workers in the tech sector, is keen to address concerns regarding trade imbalances and the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. President.
In addition to his U.S. visit, Modi is also scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris from February 10 to 12, further cementing India’s strategic relations with key global powers.
