PM to visit US on February 12-13, hold bilateral with Trump amid tariff threat
Modi's visit, which will happen within the first month of Donald Trump assuming office, comes amid the President's tariff threats and the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants.
Modi and Trump will discuss trade, defence cooperation and technology, among other issues.
"The fact that the Prime Minister has been invited to visit the US within barely three weeks of the new administration taking office shows the importance of the India-US partnership and is also reflective of the bipartisan support that this partnership enjoys in the US," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
He said: "PM Modi would be amongst the first few world leaders to visit the United States following the inauguration of Trump".
Modi and Trump earlier shared warm relations during Donald Trump's first term.
They held a phone call last week, which both sides called "productive".
The two leaders discussed immigration, security and trade ties, the White House said. PM Modi, referring to Trump as his "dear friend", said the two leaders would work together for the "welfare of our people" and "towards global peace".
The Republican leader had in 2024 called Namo a "great leader".
Trump has already met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is slated to hold talks with Japan's Shigeru Ishiba this week in Washington.
The Trump effect was already seen in the Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman last week in which the government slashed duties on items primarily exported by the US, such as motorcycles (Harley-Davidson) having engine capacity below 1,600 cc.
Namo's visit will also likely to focus on immigration issue as the tour comes on the backdrop of 104 illegal Indians being deported by the US on a military aircraft.
The issue led to a massive uproar in Parliament, with the opposition flagging the "inhuman manner" in which the Indians were deported with handcuffs and their legs chained.
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In the last 16 years, more than 15,000 Indians have been sent back from the U.S., with a record number during Trump's last presidency, according to Indian government data.
The latest deportation used a military aircraft because U.S. authorities felt it would be the quickest option, he said.
Foreign Secretary Misri said US authorities had told New Delhi that there were up to 487 more presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders who could still be deported. India will verify their nationality, he said.
"In the U.S. system itself, it was described as a national security operation. And that is perhaps one of the reasons why a military aircraft was used," Misri said.
"In so far as alternatives are concerned, we will consider any alternatives that would be feasible (for future deportations)."
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