Here are five issues PM Modi and Trump might discuss when they meet

NEW DELHI: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Donald Trump on June 26. A lot rides on their first meeting which many see as challenging since it happens in the backdrop of President Trump's scrutiny of H1B visa policy, which might hit Indian tech sector, and his outburst against India when the US withdrew from the Paris accord. PM Modi's visit is also crucial due to the adverse impact of Trump's protectionist policies on Modi's pet project, Make In India.

Below are five things that PM Modi and Trump are likely to discuss:

The H1B visa
PM Modi will try to send a strong message to the Trump administration on the H1B visa issue. India is concerned about the reduction in H1B visa slots. Trump's stance has dented India's IT sector as Indians workers are the main beneficiaries of the rules.

Pakistan
Both India and the US are on the same page as far as Pakistan is concerned. Both have held Pakistan as one of the major exporters of terrorism. After PM Modi visit, Trump might put more pressure on Pakistan to control terror.

Defence partnership
Last year, India signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US. Trump will push the remaining two foundational LEMOA pacts—Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement. LEMOA provides each greater access of military facilities in the other country.

Trade
The US is India's second largest trading partner after China. It is also India's biggest importer. US-India trade has grown six-fold since 2000, from $19 billion to $115 billion in 2016. Both the leaders will try to find ways to further enhance trade and business cooperation. As White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer puts it, "US energy and technologies, including natural gas, are helping to build Prime Minister Modi's vision for a new India and creating thousands of US jobs in the process."

Racial attacks
India is concerned about a string of racial attacks in the US on Indians and Americans of Indian origin in recent times. There is a perception that Trump's right-wing rhetoric is fanning xenophobia in the US, even though Trump has expressed admiration for Indians several times. PM Modi might take up this issue too with Trump.