Congress member Ro Khanna talks about the key issues likely to be discussed between PM Modi and President Donald Trump

Washington, DC: US Congressman Ro Khanna outlined important topics that PM Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to discuss, such as immigration and trade, before PM Modi’s visit to the US. Khanna emphasized the need for “humane treatment” during deportation procedures in an interview with the media report, emphasizing that those who are being deported must be treated with “appropriate dignity.”

Khanna said, “I am sure immigration will be discussed,” when asked whether the expulsion of Indian immigrants who are purportedly residing illegally in the US will be a topic of discussion at PM Modi-President Trump’s meeting. In my opinion, deportations must be handled humanely, with the individuals being deported receiving the proper respect and not being subjected to abuse or cruel treatment.

Naturally, visitors to the United States must abide by the law and enter the country lawfully. Thus, I’m hoping it will be rectified,” Khanna said.

Regarding trade, Khanna said that the significant trade deficit—where the US purchases more goods than it sells—is one of the problems “corroding” US ties with China, Europe, and Canada. Khanna emphasized that India must pledge to purchase as much from the US as the US buys from India in order for the two countries’ relationship to grow.

Khanna told ANI, “America has a trade balance with India, and a huge trade deficit—where China sells us all these goods but doesn’t purchase ours—is one of the factors that has damaged our relationship with China. Europe is no different. With them, we have a trade imbalance. Even with Canada, our trade imbalance is negative. A balanced commercial partnership is necessary. Therefore, in my opinion, it’s crucial that India pledge to purchase as much from the US as we do from them.

The issue concerns more than 100 Indian nationals who were deported. On February 5, a US Air Force aircraft transporting Indian nationals who are suspected of having moved to the US illegally touched down in Amritsar, Punjab.

On February 6, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that all countries have a duty to repatriate their citizens if they are discovered to be living there illegally. He also stated that the Indian government is working with the US government to make sure the deportees are not mistreated in any way.

Jaishankar said in his Rajya Sabha address that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for organizing and carrying out US deportations and that ICE’s standard operating procedure for deportations by plane went into effect in 2013. He claimed that nothing had changed from previous protocols for the US trip on February 5.

Notably, PM Modi is now in France, where he will co-chair the AI Action Summit with the French president. There, he will meet with CEOs from the IT sector and world leaders to discuss how AI might enhance society. In addition, the visit is significant since it will represent a turning point in diplomatic outreach when the two leaders jointly open India’s first consulate in Marseille.

The visit is in line with current initiatives to strengthen the strategic alliance between France and India, such as assessing the status of the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, a program aimed at fostering long-term collaboration in important areas.

PM Modi and Macron will visit the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a major global nuclear fusion research partnership, in Marseille when he is there. The Prime Minister will also pay homage to Indian troops who lost their lives in the World Wars by visiting the Mazargues War Cemetery as part of historical ties. At President Trump’s invitation, PM Modi will spend two days in the United States after his trip to France.