Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi on Friday, arriving at Palam airport after completing his two-nation tour of France and the United States.
During his visit, PM Modi co-chaired the AI summit in France, and in the US, he met with President Donald Trump—marking their first meeting since Trump took office as the 47th US President on January 20, 2025.
On Thursday, PM Modi met with Trump at the White House, where the two leaders shared a hug as Trump welcomed him. Trump emphasized the strong bond between the two nations, stating that he, PM Modi, and their respective countries share “great unity and great friendship.” He also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties, expressing confidence that the relationship between the two nations will continue to grow.
PM Modi conveyed his delight at seeing Trump back in the White House for a second term and expressed optimism about further strengthening the India-US strategic partnership with the “same bond, trust and excitement.”
He also mentioned that the people of India had given him the opportunity to serve a third consecutive term as Prime Minister, an occurrence that has happened after 60 years in India’s history.
This visit marked PM Modi’s first trip to the US since Trump’s inauguration for a second term. He was among the first world leaders to visit the US under the new administration and had been invited within just three weeks of Trump’s swearing-in.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided insights into PM Modi’s visit, noting that the Prime Minister engaged in discussions with key figures, including the newly appointed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Misri highlighted that the extensive four-hour discussions at the White House covered various issues such as strategic and security cooperation, defense, trade, economic collaboration, technology, energy security, and regional and global matters.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Misri described the visit as “very substantive and productive,” underscoring the priority both leaders place on the India-US partnership. He reiterated that the discussions encompassed “the entire gamut of the relationship, ranging from strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade and economic engagement, technology, energy security and people-to-people linkages, regional and global issues of concern.”
Before visiting the US, PM Modi spent three days in France from February 10-12, participating in events focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), commerce, energy, and cultural exchanges. He co-chaired the AI Action Summit, which brought together world leaders and top global tech executives.
While in France, PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille, where they toured the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a collaborative initiative in which India is a member. PM Modi also paid homage to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World Wars I and II at the Mazargues War Cemetery.
Additionally, PM Modi and Macron visited the control room of CMA-CGM, a major global shipping and logistics company. The two leaders jointly inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille, and Macron personally came to the airport to bid farewell to PM Modi as he departed for the US for the second leg of his tour.
