US President Donald Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Washington in February to meet him, and that he believes India will do “what is right” on the issue of taking back illegal migrants.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, according to news wires. He was responding to a question on the phone conversation he had with Modi earlier in the day.
There was no immediate word from the Indian side on a possible visit to the US by the Indian leader. However, there has been a buzz in diplomatic circles in New Delhi that the Indian side has been working on an early meeting between the two leaders.
A readout from the White House on the phone call between the two leaders said Trump “emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship”.
The Indian government’s statement on the conversation had said the two leaders spoke about working together for global peace and security and measures to advance cooperation in key areas such as technology, trade and defence. It also said they agreed to meet at an “early mutually convenient date”, without giving details.
“I had a long talk with him this morning [Monday]. He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One.
Trump said they had discussed the issue of immigration and that he believes India will do “what is right when it comes to taking back illegal immigrants”.
The White House readout said Trump had a “productive call” with Modi and the two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including “security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe”, the readout added.
