Trump Urges Modi to Boost U.S. Defense Purchases, Strengthen Strategic Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, called on New Delhi to increase its purchases of American-made defense equipment and to work towards achieving fair trade relations.

A statement issued by the White House Press Office described the phone call as "productive," adding, "The President emphasized the importance of increasing India's purchases of U.S.-manufactured defense equipment and pursuing fair trade relations."

The two leaders also discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and India, as well as the Quad partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. India is set to host Quad leaders for the first time later this year.

Earlier, the Indian government announced its readiness to cooperate with the U.S. administration in deporting 18,000 Indians residing illegally in the United States.

According to Bloomberg, in return for this agreement, India hopes that President Trump's administration will protect the legal immigration channels used by its citizens to enter the U.S., particularly student visas and the skilled labor program.