PM Modi departs for France, US; to meet Trump amid tariff concerns: 'Very warm recollection of working together'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that his visit to the United States would be an opportunity to build upon the successes of the collaboration between the two countries during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The visit–which comes within a month after Trump’s inauguration for his second term–will help develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen the partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defence, energy, and supply chain resilience, Modi said in his departure statement.

"I look forward to meeting my friend, President Trump," Modi said. "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 leaders are expected to engage in both restricted and delegation-level meetings, with discussions likely to cover defence cooperation, trade, and strategic security issues, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said last week.

Modi will be one of the first world leaders to meet Trump after his second inauguration on January 20.

The visit comes amid reports that India is preparing to offer additional tariff concessions on US exports in sectors like electronics, medical equipment, and chemicals to bolster trade ties and avoid potential friction, especially given the current US-China trade tensions.

The meeting between PM Modi and Donald Trump aims to avoid a “trade war-like situation that is happening between US and China," reported Reuters quoting an unnamed government official.

Modi will be visiting France from February 10 to February 12 before flying to the US from there on a two-day trip.

Modi said he is visiting France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. In Paris, he will co-chair the AI Action Summit alongside Macron, engaging with global leaders and tech CEOs to discuss collaborative approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) for innovation and public good in an inclusive, secure, and trustworthy manner.

Misri said that India expects AI applications to be designed, developed, and deployed in a "safe, humane, responsible, and trustworthy" manner. The summit will also witness the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Foundation, envisioned as a global fund addressing AI solutions in health and other critical areas.

During the bilateral segment, Modi and Macron will review progress under the 2047 Horizon Roadmap for the India-France strategic partnership. The Prime Minister will inaugurate India’s first consulate in Marseille and visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, where India is a key partner. Modi will also pay tribute to Indian soldiers at the Mazargues War Cemetery.