India-US Trade Talks: Modi-Trump Meeting Uncertain Amidst Tensions

Discussions regarding trade are resuming between India and the United States, yet a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump remains uncertain. The possibility is complicated by recent actions, including US tariffs on Indian exports and an increase in H1-B visa fees. Amidst the backdrop of these issues, officials from both countries met in New York to explore the possibility of a Modi-Trump meeting, potentially on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. The US move to hike visa fees to $100,000 per application is seen as a way to boost local American jobs. However, some experts question whether this move will be effective, considering the skills gap that necessitated the use of foreign workers in the first place. Strategic analysts suggest that a meeting between the leaders would require substantial preparation and tangible outcomes to be worthwhile, such as a rollback of tariffs on Indian goods. Discussions are ongoing to resolve trade disputes, with hopes for a recovery in Indo-US relations during the remainder of Trump’s presidency. Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader, sounded hopeful about Indo-US relations and questioned the silence of NRIs in America, on issues affecting them and their country.