 "Meetings with Musk, Mike Waltz, Ramaswamy before talks with Trump... PM’s packed day in DC")
It’s been a hectic week for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After a fruitful trip to France, he is now in Washington DC.
The PM arrived at Joint Base Andrews on February 12, where he was received by India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra and other officials. Later, he received a grand welcome from the Indian diaspora at Blair House, where he is staying during his 36-hour visit.
All eyes will be on the Donald Trump and Modi meet. But that will not be all. The PM is also expected to meet other prominent names in the US administration including Elon Musk.
We look at whom Modi has met so far and whom he is likely to meet.
PM Modi meets US intel chief Tulsi Gabbard
The first US leader the prime minister met was Tulsi Gabbard. This came hours after her confirmation as director of national intelligence.
Modi congratulated Gabbard for her new role and the two discussed India-US friendship.
“Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary,” the PM wrote on X.
Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary. pic.twitter.com/w2bhsh8CKF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2025
Gabbard is America’s first woman Hindu-American lawmaker. The meeting came as a surprise as intel chiefs rarely interact with world leaders. However, Modi and Gabbard have old ties. The PM invited her to India in 2014 after he came to power. Then a first-time Congresswoman, she presented Modi with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita she had read from as a child.
Modi to meet Elon Musk
Elon Musk is one of the most influential people in Team Trump. On paper, he heads the “department of government efficient” (Doge) but the president is all ears when it comes to his “First Buddy”.
The PM is expected to meet Musk during his visit. The two are likely to hold one-on-one talks. They could discuss Starlink’s long-delayed plans to launch satellite broadband services in India, two sources, who declined to be named as the plans are private, told Reuters.
The internet service was under scrutiny in India after its devices were found with insurgents and smugglers last year. It raised concerns with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications. Can Musk convince Modi that Starlink is safe?
Meeting with Mike Waltz
After Gabbard, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is expected to call on PM Modi, reports CNBCTV18.
The Florida Congressman is known for his “hard stance” against China. Foreign affairs experts say that this will greatly serve India’s interests.
Former Indian diplomat Sudhir Devare told ANI in November that Waltz’s pick as NSA was in continuation of the earlier administration policy but with a “greater focus”. “I think that if they [the US] will focus on Indo-Pacific then it is good for us. Because India is a big part of the Indo-Pacific policy of America. He added that the Indo-Pacific would also help the US in countering China.
He also noted that Waltz’s experience with China will be “positive for India” and may help in resolving the LAC border issue between the two nations.
According to foreign expert Robinder Sachdev, Waltz’s appointment is in India’s favour and his approach will help resolve existing disputes. It will also be a signal for Canada.
If Waltz and PM Modi meet, a discussion of China and Canada, both pain points for India, is likely.
Vivek Ramaswamy to meet Modi
Vivek Ramaswamy, a billionaire entrepreneur who quit Doge, is also expected to call on PM Modi, sources told CNBCTV18.
The Indian-American Republican has called India a reliable partner in the past and has been all praises of PM Modi. In an interview with Times Now last September, he credited Modi for reviving India’s national pride and self-confidence., calling him a “great leader”.
The big Modi-Trump meeting
All eyes, of course, will be on the Modi and Trump meeting. The US president will host a bilateral meeting with Modi in the Oval Office this evening (local time). It will be held in the wee hours of the morning in India.
There is a lot on the agenda. Tariffs are a big concern and Trump has warned of “ reciprocal” tariffs ahead of his meeting with Modi. It remains to be seen if the PM can avert a tariff clash and strike a trade deal with the US instead. America’s crackdown on illegal Indian immigrants will be on the cards.
The two leaders will hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House. Trump will then host a dinner for PM Modi.
It’s less than a month since Trump returned to the White House but his second term is shaking up the world order. The Indian PM is among the few leaders to meet Potus face-to-face since taking office and Modi can hope his visit sets the tone for strong ties between the two nations for the next four years.
With inputs from agencies
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