Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding friendly rapport with President Donald Trump could be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington on Wednesday, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports.

A major agenda on the Modi-Trump summit is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The multi-national infrastructure initiative proposes a 4,500-kilometre trade route connecting India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Europe.

Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House this week feels suspiciously like a victory lap for an Indian leader whose economy hasn’t had a great deal to celebrate of late.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding bonhomie with President Donald Trump may be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports.