Prime Minister Narendra Modi Engages in Insightful Discussion with US Politician Vivek Ramaswamy During Washington Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a “highly insightful” discussion with Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent entrepreneur and rising political figure in the United States, during a meeting at the Blair House. According to External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the discussions revolved around key topics including India-US relations, innovation, biotechnology, and the critical role of entrepreneurship in shaping the future.
Ramaswamy, a billionaire with interests in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and finance, is currently running for the Governor of Ohio. His political background includes a brief run in the Republican presidential primaries, where he contested against then-President Donald Trump before withdrawing and pledging his support to the former president. Notably, Ramaswamy was also co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside Elon Musk, for a brief period. His connections to Trump are well-known, with the former president having praised Ramaswamy’s intellect and entrepreneurial skills.
One of Ramaswamy’s notable political stances includes advocating for the reform and retention of the H-1B visa system, which has significant implications for Indian professionals working in the United States. He strongly opposed proposals from the extreme right to end the program, emphasizing that immigrants, particularly from India, possess the drive and educational commitment that many Americans lack. Ramaswamy’s own family background is rooted in India; his parents hail from Palakkad district in Kerala, and he grew up in Ohio.
In addition to the meeting with Ramaswamy, Prime Minister Modi also had a significant engagement with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The two discussed potential opportunities for collaboration in space, mobility, technology, and energy, and also exchanged ideas on governance efforts in both India and the US. Musk, who recently took on a prominent role in leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attended the meeting at Blair House with his family.
Earlier in his Washington visit, Prime Minister Modi met with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Tulsi Gabbard, who recently assumed the position of Director of National Intelligence, leading the US Intelligence Community. This series of meetings highlights the significance of Modi’s two-day visit to Washington DC, which is aimed at strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks his first in-person interaction with President Donald Trump following Trump’s return to the White House after securing a second non-consecutive term. The two leaders have previously spoken twice on the phone, including once after Trump’s re-election and another time following his January inauguration. In addition to several past meetings during Trump’s first term, the two leaders famously addressed the Howdy Modi rally in Houston in 2019 and the Namaste Trump rally in Ahmedabad in 2020.
Upon arrival in the US, Prime Minister Modi was received by India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with other officials. In a statement upon his arrival, Modi expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump and build upon the existing India-US relations, particularly in the areas of innovation, security, and global cooperation.
Modi’s short but significant visit is a part of a broader effort to advance the India-US partnership and build on the successes achieved during his first term as Prime Minister. His departure statement ahead of the trip emphasized the importance of further elevating and deepening the ties between the two nations.
