Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding friendly rapport with President Donald Trump could be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington on Wednesday, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports.

India is acutely aware that trade and immigration issues are a potential double whammy. But it believes it can preserve growing ties.

Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House this week feels suspiciously like a victory lap for an Indian leader whose economy hasn’t had a great deal to celebrate of late.

A major agenda on the Modi-Trump summit is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The multi-national infrastructure initiative proposes a 4,500-kilometre trade route connecting India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Europe.

As two-way trade expands, India’s surplus is growing. President Trump is expected to press Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lower tariffs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding bonhomie with President Donald Trump may be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports.