Trump emphasizes ‘fair’ trade relations in call with India’s Modi, White House says

U.S. President Donald Trump stressed the importance of India buying more American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the White House said.

In what the White House called a "productive call," the leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation and regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.

They also discussed plans for Modi to visit the White House, "underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations," it said.

Reuters reported last week that Indian and U.S diplomats are trying to arrange a meeting of the two leaders as early as February.

"The president emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship," a White House statement said.

The United States is India's largest trading partner and two-way trade between the two countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023/24, with India posting a trade surplus of $32 billion.

India, a strategic partner of the United States in its efforts to counter China, is keen to enhance trade with the U.S. and make it easier for its citizens to get skilled worker visas.

The White House said both leaders emphasized their commitment to advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Quad grouping that brings together the United States and India with Australia and Japan, with India to host Quad leaders later this year.

Foreign ministers of the Quad, who share concerns about China's growing power, met last week in Washington the day after Trump's return to office and recommitted to working together.

Earlier on Monday, Modi referred to Trump as a "dear friend" and said they were both "committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership."

"We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security," Modi said in a social-media post.