Indian-American US Congressman Shri Thanedar on Tuesday (local time) underscored the importance of addressing tariffs as a major issue ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump. Thanedar noted that trade, bilateral relations, and immigration are among the key topics that need attention during the upcoming discussions.
“This is an exciting time. PM Modi and President Trump have met twice before, and I’m looking forward to this meeting. There are many issues that need to be addressed—tariffs are a big issue, along with the bilateral relationship, commerce, and immigration. There’s a lot going on, and I hope a lot can be accomplished,” Thanedar remarked.
Earlier, Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, suggested that both sides could reach an agreement to avoid a tit-for-tat trade dispute between India and the US. “We might see an agreement where both countries agree on a set of tariffs and other arrangements to prevent escalating trade conflicts over the next few years. India is a major producer of steel, so there’s a real possibility of tensions growing,” Jaishankar told ANI.
Jaishankar also highlighted the issue of illegal Indian immigrants and deportations by the US, noting that India has a long-standing policy of cooperating with countries to manage undocumented migrants. “India has worked with many countries to identify individuals who have overstayed their visas or are undocumented. This is not a new policy. However, the optics of it have not been positive in India. A serious conversation about how to better manage this situation would be helpful,” he explained.
When asked if the situation in Bangladesh would be discussed during the meeting, Thanedar expressed hope that the topic would be addressed. “I hope they do. As a Congressman, I have spoken about it a lot. I’ve urged that the issue be addressed. The State Department under President Biden did impose sanctions on Bangladesh,” Thanedar said.
Prime Minister Modi will visit the US on February 12-13 at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This will mark the first meeting between the two leaders since President Trump began his second term in office.