Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, the newly appointed Director of National Intelligence (DNI), in Washington, DC on Wednesday (local time). The two leaders discussed various aspects of the India-US partnership, reflecting on its continued growth.
PM Modi warmly greeted Gabbard and congratulated her on her recent confirmation. The meeting took place just hours after Gabbard’s swearing-in ceremony at the White House. Modi shared the encounter on X, saying, “Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary.”
PM Modi arrived in the US for a two-day visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with other officials, welcomed him at the airport. This marks PM Modi’s first visit to the US since Trump began his second term in office.
After arriving in Washington, PM Modi made his way to Blair House, where he greeted members of the Indian diaspora gathered there. Despite the chilly winter weather, the crowd enthusiastically welcomed him, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi Modi.” PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the diaspora for the warm reception, posting on X, “A warm reception in the winter chill. Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora in Washington DC has welcomed me with a very special welcome. My gratitude to them.”
Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed eagerness to meet President Trump and discussed plans to build on the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He shared on X, “Landed in Washington DC a short while ago. Looking forward to meeting @POTUS Donald Trump and building upon the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and a better future for our planet.”
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that PM Modi’s visit includes meetings with President Trump, US cabinet members, and industry leaders. Jaiswal posted on X, “A new chapter in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. PM @narendramodi arrives on an official working visit to Washington D.C., USA. During the visit, PM will meet @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, members of the US Cabinet & industry leaders.”
Blair House, where PM Modi is staying, is not only a luxurious guest house but a symbol of American diplomacy and hospitality. It has hosted many world leaders and is considered an extension of the White House, with a 70,000-square-foot area dedicated to international visitors.
In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasized that his US visit would provide an opportunity to strengthen the successes from his first term and expand the bilateral partnership further in key areas like technology, trade, defense, energy, and supply chain resilience. He noted, “Although this will be our first meeting following his historic electoral victory and inauguration in January, I have a very warm recollection of working together in his first term in building a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US.”
The prime minister added, “This visit will be an opportunity to build upon the successes of our collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen our partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defense, energy, and supply chain resilience. We will work together for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries and shape a better future for the world.”
Since November 2024, PM Modi and President Trump have held two phone calls. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended Trump’s inauguration, met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ meeting in January 2025.
PM Modi’s visit to the US follows his three-day trip to France, where he also met with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss mutual interests, including cooperation in clean and reliable energy sourcing through US nuclear technology.
The relationship between India and the US dates back to 2005 when they launched a “strategic partnership,” which was elevated to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during President Trump’s visit to India in February 2020.