• Source:JND
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to pay a two-day visit to the US beginning February 12 to hold wide-ranging talks with US President Donald Trump, news agency PTI reported citing people familiar with the matter. As per the plan, PM Modi will travel to Washington DC after concluding his two-day visit to Paris, they said. It would be the prime minister's first bilateral visit to the US after Trump became president for a second term.

PM Modi will be among a very handful of foreign leaders to travel to Washington DC on a bilateral visit within weeks after the Trump administration came to power for the second term.

PM Modi will hold a bilateral with Trump

During his visit, it is expected that he will hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. Although neither the White House nor the External Affairs Ministry has officially confirmed it, both parties are considering February 12 and 13 as potential dates.

Earlier on January 27, PM Modi and Trump held a telephonic conversation where both discussed various issues including illegal immigration and boosting trade. This was their first phone conversation since the American leader’s inauguration last week.

What MEA said about PM Modi's US visit

"PM Modi and President Trump had a telephone conversation recently. The two sides are working on an early visit of the PM to the US to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing while replying to a question. "Specific dates for the visit would be announced at the appropriate time," he said.

Why is PM Modi's US visit crucial?

The Prime Minister's visit to Washington is crucial amid Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. According to media reports, more than 18,000 illegal Indians would be deported-- although the MEA does not confirm the number that popped up in the media. Besides, it is expected that the Prime Minister may ease tariffs for the US amid the fact Trump reiterated publically New Delhi as the nations which has imposed heavy taxes on American goods.