PM Modi-Donald Trump meet: H1B visa issue may be discussed among other issues

This will be the first meeting between President Donald Trump and Narendra Modi after the former assumed power last year.

Updated: June 22, 2017 5:32 PM IST

By Vaibhav Tiwari

PM Modi-Donald Trump meet: H1B visa issue may be discussed among other issues

New Delhi, June 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will meet in Washington as the Indian PM visits the country on June 25-26. A host of issues including defence partnership, fight against terror, climate change and fight against terrorism can come up in the important meeting. Though H1B visa is not on the official agenda, India can still raise its concerns.

Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia told Money Control that this is one of the issues on the discussion table. If the issue comes up, it will be taken up by the Indian side.

The United States contributes 60% of the total $120 billion Indian IT industry. One of the reasons for Indian companies success has been that they would send cheap Indian professionals there. The Trump administration’s America first policy, however, threatens the interests of the Indian IT companies. India can also discuss easing visa rules for Indian travellers.

One of the major issues that will be discussed is anti-terrorism cooperation. The terror situation unfolding in Afganistan-Pakistan region will prominently feature in the discussion. The Indian and the US agencies have been cooperating with each other by sharing intelligence. Enhancing this partnership can be discussed.

The recent spate of bombings and terror attacks in Afghanistan will also be discussed. Both the countries have been cooperating to maintain peace in the restive country.

The US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative will likely be discussed in the meeting. India will like to enhance defence cooperation with the US.

This will be the first meeting between President Donald Trump and Narendra Modi after the former assumed power last year. PM Modi had had a healthy rapport with former President Barack Obama as they met on a number of times between 2014 and 2016. Both met a record eight times in two years. President Barack Obama had also come to India to attend the Republic Day parade as its chief guest.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump and PM Modi apparently share a comfortable relationship. Though they have never met, they have spoken to each other over phone three times. It would interesting to see if they could be as amenable to each other as Obama and Modi.

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