Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on February 13, 2025, ahead of his bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump. The meeting took place at Blair House in Washington D.C. and was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The discussion focused on deepening bilateral strategic ties and addressing global security challenges. Prime Minister Modi described the meeting as "fruitful" and highlighted the strong potential for cooperation in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, space, and more. The meeting is part of Prime Minister Modi's two-day visit to the U.S., which includes a bilateral meeting with President Trump. The agenda for the meeting with President Trump includes trade tariffs, defense sales, and a new defense framework. The Trump administration aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with India and hopes to have a fair bilateral trade deal in place by 2025. The visit comes at a time when the U.S. is seeking to strengthen ties with India, particularly in the context of countering China's growing influence. India has been a critical partner in the Quad, a four-way grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S., and is seen as a natural ally against a rising China. The meeting with Waltz sets the stage for Prime Minister Modi's discussions with President Trump, which are expected to cover a range of strategic and economic issues.