US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to discuss issues related to the Indo-US strategic partnership in the areas of defence, security, counter-terrorism, as well as trade and energy in New Delhi on February 25.
“They would also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interests,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Trump and his wife Melania Trump will be on a flying 36-hour visit to India during which they are scheduled to touch down in Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi with numerous events planned.
The US high-level delegation is likely to include US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and Senior Advisor to President Jared Kushner.
While a trade deal will not be signed by the two countries, reports quoting sources say that certain defence deals would be signed during Trump’s visit, including a USD 2.6 billion deal for New Delhi to buy 24 Seahawk helicopters from American defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp.
Talks on defence pacts are reportedly in an advanced stage between the two sides.
Packed visit for the Trumps
The Trumps will arrive in Ahmedabad on February 24 before noon from where they will travel to the newly built Motera Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad where he will address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event jointly with Prime Minister Modi.
The couple will then visit Agra, where they will spend about an hour at the Taj Mahal prior to sunset before spending the night in New Delhi.
The next day, which is the main day of engagements, President Trump and the First Lady will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The US President will subsequently attend the delegation-level talks with Modi at Hyderabad House.
The First Lady is likely to visit a school in the city, escorted by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
In the afternoon, Trump is expected to attend some private events at the US Embassy, including a private roundtable with industry representatives.
He will end his visit with a banquet hosted by the President at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the evening of February 25.
