Modi-Trump Talk to Strengthen India-U.S. Partnership

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. This was their first conversation since Trump assumed the presidency. The discussion focused on strengthening the India-U.S. relationship. Modi expressed his happiness in speaking with his close friend President Donald Trump and congratulated him on his historic second term.

Modi emphasized their mutual commitment to a beneficial and reliable partnership, highlighting their joint efforts for global peace, prosperity, and security. Modi had also congratulated Trump after his election victory on November 6, 2019. During their conversation, Trump praised Modi’s popularity and expressed hope for continued cooperation in the future.

In 2019, both leaders participated in the "Howdy Modi" event in Texas. Modi had visited the U.S. in September 2019, where the event was held for the Indian-American community. Over 50,000 attendees heard Modi and Trump speak, during which both leaders praised each other. Following this, Trump visited India in February 2020, where the "Namaste Trump" event was organized in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

On January 20, after being sworn in, President Trump issued over 100 executive orders, including reforms in immigration and the H1-B visa. Despite concerns about H1-B visa restrictions, Trump decided not to discontinue the H1-B visa, affirming that the U.S. needs talent across various fields, not just engineering, to fill key positions in the workforce.

The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals with specific technical skills. Thousands of workers, particularly from countries like India and China, are hired by U.S. companies each year under this visa.