Desk:Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to the United States on February 12. His visit comes at a time when the deportation of alleged illegal Indian immigrants from the US has sparked controversy. Several opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), staged a protest in the Parliament complex on Thursday against the reported inhumane treatment of over 100 deported Indian migrants.
Two Major Foreign Visits in February
PM Modi has two significant foreign visits lined up this month. From February 10 to 12, he will visit France, followed by an official visit to the US from February 12 to 13. These visits are expected to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships with both nations. This will be Modi’s first visit to the US since Donald Trump took office as the 47th President on January 20.
France Visit: AI Action Summit
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press conference, stated that PM Modi will visit France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. During the visit, Modi will participate in the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit” hosted by France. He and Macron will co-chair the summit, which will focus on the global impact of AI and strategies to mitigate its risks.
PM Modi will arrive in Paris on the evening of February 10 and attend a gala dinner at the Élysée Palace hosted by President Macron, along with top CEOs and distinguished guests from the tech sector. On February 11, both leaders will jointly preside over the AI Action Summit. This summit follows previous editions held in the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024).
US Visit: Strengthening India-US Ties Under Trump Administration
Following his France visit, PM Modi will travel to the US from February 12 to 13 at the invitation of President Donald Trump. Modi will be among the first global leaders to visit Washington within three weeks of Trump’s second term, underscoring the strong India-US strategic partnership.
PM Modi will visit the US on February 12Concerns Over Deportation of Indian Migrants
The issue of deported Indian migrants from the US remains a significant concern. The Indian government has expressed its apprehensions over the treatment of deported citizens. Foreign Secretary Misri clarified that External Affairs Minister (EAM) has been in communication with US officials regarding the “Standard Operating Procedure” (SOP) followed in these cases.
India has assured that it will continue diplomatic discussions with US authorities to ensure that deported Indian citizens are treated fairly and with dignity. Misri also emphasized the need to dismantle networks that promote illegal immigration.
Recently, an American military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian migrants landed in Amritsar. This marked the first deportation operation under the new Trump administration. Among the deportees, 33 were from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
PM Modi’s US visit is expected to include discussions on various bilateral issues, including trade, security, and immigration policies under the new Trump administration.