Trump says India will take Steps on illegal immigrants after talks with Modi
Washington/New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that India is expected to take appropriate measures regarding the repatriation of illegal immigrants following discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump made this announcement while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, also mentioning that Modi might visit the United States in February. However, India's Ministry of External Affairs has yet to confirm the proposed visit.
“Discussed immigration with Modi. India will do what is right when it comes to taking back illegal immigrants,” Trump was quoted as saying by Reuters. He also highlighted the strong bilateral ties, saying, “I had a long talk with him this morning. He is going to be coming to the White House over the next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India.”
The conversation between the two leaders covered key global issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific region, developments in the Middle East and Europe, and strengthening bilateral trade relations. Prime Minister Modi later took to social media to express his satisfaction with the discussion. “Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity, and security,” Modi tweeted.
A statement from the White House underscored the significance of the dialogue, stating that both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening US-India cooperation. “Today, President Donald J. Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also addressed regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe,” the statement read.
Additionally, the White House acknowledged discussions on advancing the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, which India is set to host later this year. Trump also emphasized the importance of India procuring American-made security equipment and ensuring a fair bilateral trade framework, highlighting the strategic significance of the US-India relationship.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Indian visa application centre suspended indefinitely in Bangladesh's Chattogram
Dhaka (PTI): India on Sunday suspended visa operations at its mission in Bangladeshi port city of Chattogram until further notice, according to media reports.
The move comes in the wake of a fresh wave of unrest witnessed in the country following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram on Thursday.
Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections.
ALSO READ: Confusion over leadership in Karnataka is local, not at high command level: Kharge
He was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on December 18.
“Due to the recent security incident at Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong (Chattogram) will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice,” the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) said in a brief statement.
The announcement for reopening the visa centre will be made after reviewing the situation, the statement added. The decision came into effect on Sunday.
There are five IVAC facilities across Bangladesh at Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Sylhet. An IVAC official told PTI that the other four offices have remained operational as of Sunday.
India on Thursday resumed operations at its visa application centre in Dhaka, a day after closing it over escalated security concerns, but closed for a brief period two other identical facilities in Rajshahi and Khulna as anti-India protestors tried to march towards the Indian missions there.
On Saturday, security was strengthened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladesh's Sylhet city.
The enhanced security measures were put in place to ensure that “no third party can exploit the situation,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune newspaper on Saturday.
Hadi, 32, was laid to rest on Saturday amid extra-tight security beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University mosque.
Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral prayers, and ahead of the ritual, chanted anti-India slogans like “Delhi or Dhaka - Dhaka, Dhaka” and “brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain.”
Earlier on December 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh envoy Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” it said.
The envoy was apprised of India's strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh, it added.
