Trade and immigration are expected to take centre stage as U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet Thursday against the backdrop of growing discontent in Punjab state over the treatment of deported Indian nationals.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a nationalist criticized over India's democratic backsliding, has welcomed President Trump's return to the White House. India so far has been spared new tariffs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the US, held a meeting with Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at the Blair House in Washington DC. The meeting with Ramaswamy comes after the prime minister concluded back-to-back meetings with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.