Staff Reports
Thursday featured the grand spectacle of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolling into the White House in a dark SUV, perhaps looking for an actual welcome. Unfortunately for him, President Trump was nowhere to be found at the West Wing entrance. No presidential high-fives or red carpet here—just the subtle charm of a bilateral meeting to avoid the unfortunate tariff fates that have claimed many a nation before.
The focus of the meeting was clear: hammering out trade discussions and avoiding sticky tariff traps. Modi wasn’t just any world leader; he was the fourth to sit down with Trump during this latest administration. He followed in the diplomatic footsteps of heavyweights like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. It seems the White House is bustling with international visitors—perhaps they all sensed Trump’s unparalleled negotiation skills driving them to the U.S. for a pep talk.
Modi’s visit wasn’t just about meeting the commander-in-chief. He had already been mingling with some impressive figures, including a chat with newly minted Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and a rendezvous with Vice President J.D. Vance over in France. Talk about jet-setting diplomacy! One particularly notable moment occurred when Modi met Elon Musk, who, in a shocking twist, isn’t just a billionaire with a flair for rockets and electric cars but also the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Modi’s description of their meeting as “very good” is an understatement for anyone paying attention to the tech world.
Moreover, the Indian Prime Minister was all social media savvy, posting about his discussions on tech, innovation, and India’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.” Something about seeing a politician talk efficiency and governance is almost refreshing. Tariff rants and sharp discussion of security matters seem to add spice to the diplomatic stew simmering between the U.S. and India.
India’s Narendra Modi arrives at White House to discuss U.S.-India relationshiphttps://t.co/HqXlLuN2fo pic.twitter.com/6V7SpfvYfm
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 14, 2025
But let’s not forget the somewhat thorny history between Trump and Modi concerning tariffs. Trump has a way of calling it as he sees it, labeling Modi as a “tariff king” and lamenting the unfair trade practices. Although these digs might stoke ruffled feathers, it also serves as a reminder that the conversation is still crucial. After all, the U.S. remains India’s largest trading partner, which says a lot about Modi’s eagerness to keep relations warm, especially when 2024 trade numbers show a cozy import relationship akin to that of an overstuffed sofa.
Surprisingly, Trump and Modi have maintained a strangely amicable relationship despite the tariff barbs flung about like confetti. Trump’s visit to a cricket stadium in India back in 2020 won him cheers while the famed “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston had American hearts practically leaping out of their chests. It’s safe to say this diplomatic duo finds common ground in their, admittedly unique, friendship, despite the escalations on trade. Whether it’s cricket or tech, both leaders seem prepared to keep exploring the nuances of their evolving partnership, and who knows, maybe they’ll figure out how to keep those pesky tariffs at bay while they’re at it!
