Modi-Trump meeting: H-1B visa, counter-terrorism and defence partnership to be India's priority

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United States to meet the new President Donald Trump for the first time.The state visit of Indian PM would be a key test of India's defence partnership that flourished under former President Barack Obama but has faded a bit under Trump.

It's not just the India who is eager for the visit but the US has also shown similar sentiments. In an official statement, White House said: "We have a lot of areas of mutual cooperation, fighting terrorism, we have a lot of people-to-people ties, strong people-to-people ties; so we're looking forward to that visit."

At home, the Ministry of External Affairs termed Modi's visit to the US a key to boost bilateral ties. A number of key issues, including ways to step up cooperation in effectively combating terrorism and further strengthening defence ties, are also likely to figure during the talks between the two leaders.

Key points of Prime Minister's US visit:

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# With India still importing 65 per cent of its military requirements With India defence is surely going to be a very important issue. Just before Modi's visit, the defence arm of Indian business house-Tata Group has signed an agreement with American firm Lockheed Martin to produce and export new generation F-16 fighter aircraft. 

# The United States, in a "game changing" deal has cleared the sale of 22 predator Guardian drones to India. The deal, estimated to be worth USD two to three billion, has been approved by the State Department. An official announcement about this deal is also expected during the PM's state visit. This is the first very significant sign of the Trump administration being more result oriented in its relationship with India.

# Another very big and important issue would be H-1B visa. Problems being faced by the domestic IT industry on the H-1B visa front are expected to figure during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on June 26 in Washington.

# Modi will meet CEOs of top US companies and senior representatives from the business community on June 25 to discuss job creation. There will be an Indian community event in the afternoon of that day as well.

# Another key issue could be China and what is the Trump administration's strategic view of China going forward. India could also raise the issue of China's oppose on India' entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.