US and India Officials Mull Modi-Trump Meeting Amidst Trade and Visa Concerns

Trade talks are back on the agenda between the United States and India, but a potential meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump faces significant hurdles. These include ongoing trade disputes and the recent increase in H1-B visa fees. High-level discussions between officials from both nations, including a meeting in New York between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are underway to assess the feasibility of a Modi-Trump summit. The possibility of a meeting during the ASEAN summit in Malaysia is also being considered. The increase in H1-B visa fees, aimed at prioritizing jobs for American workers, has drawn criticism. Analysts and experts question the effectiveness of the move, with strategic analysts emphasizing the need for careful planning and specific results before a high-level meeting can be productive. The meeting could prove beneficial if the US is willing to make concessions. However, caution is being exercised, particularly given Trump’s approach to diplomacy. Shashi Tharoor has expressed optimism about the future of Indo-US relations.