PM Modi as global strategist: From White House visit to Johannesburg vision, India charts new path

Key Highlights

• His trips were testimony to India’s ability to maintain ties with allies at a time when uncertainties plague the world. Here’s a rundown of the Indian prime minister’s international tours in 2025:STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADUS and FranceUS: PM Modi began the year with a visit to the US, shortly after the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second presidency.
• In fact, PM Modi was one of the first foreign leaders to step into the White House at the start of a new term in America. The trip was dubbed as a productive and substantive meeting by both Indian and US officials.
• Trump held a four-hour-long conversation with PM Modi, signalling the priority both leaders hold for India-US ties. More from World ‘Come, earn in India’: PM Modi invites Jordanian investors with a ‘good returns’ pitch From Tianjin to Jordan and now Ethiopia: PM Modi’s car diplomacy is catching onPM Modi and Trump met at the Oval Office in the White House.
• Reuters/File PhotoAt their Oval Office meeting, the two leaders agreed to launch a new target dubbed “Mission 500,” aimed at more than doubling bilateral trade to $500bn by 2030.
• The US is currently India’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade totalling $129.2bn in 2024.