India’s prime minister Narendra Modi visits the White House amid turbulent trade and immigration issues with Washington, but also opportunities for continued partnership.

Welcome to VOA Asia Weekly. I'm Chris Casquejo in Washington. That story is just ahead, but first, making headlines:

The Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation has filed a criminal charge against Vice President Sara Duterte over an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The agency's director says a complaint of inciting sedition has been filed with the Department of Justice, which will decide whether to dismiss the case or elevate it to a trial. Duterte said the filing was not a surprise.

A tearful reunion for five Thai hostages and their families in Bangkok this week. They were held in Gaza for more than one year after Hamas militants kidnapped them October 7th, 2023. The release marked the second group of Thai hostages freed since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. The war has claimed the lives of 46 Thais.

Indonesia launched its largest free health screening program to date. The $183 million initiative aims to prevent premature deaths by offering every Indonesian a free screening on their birthday. They get tested for high blood pressure, heart problems, strokes, and eye exams. The Health Minister says the program targets children under six years old and adults aged 18 and older.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party has won the most seats in the high-stakes state legislative election in the federal territory that includes India’s capital, New Delhi. This is the first time in 27 years that Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party secured a majority in the 70-member assembly that had been controlled by the Aam Aadmi Party since 2015.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington this week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on issues ranging from trade, immigration, defense, and strategic ties. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.

A warm welcome for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – with a stack of defense and energy deals. Yet overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s decision, the same day, to hold the threat of reciprocal tariffs over U.S. trading partners.

Trump announced a host of agreements on energy, space, and defense – including, notably, India’s possible entry into the F-35 program, currently limited to an elite group of close allies.

“The U.S.-India compact for the 21st century is a historic initiative that will deepen every aspect of our partnership and our friendship. Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We’re also paving the way ultimately to provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters."

But then, a same-day order to launch a review for reciprocal tariffs. Trump, appearing beside Modi, framed this as his effort to reduce a long-running trade deficit with India.

Modi joked that he had been inspired by Trump to mint a new slogan based on Trump’s Make America Great Again – Make India Great Again. He stressed cooperation in energy, especially on small modular nuclear reactors, and on defense contracts.

“When America and India work together, that is when MAGA plus MIGA becomes MEGA – it’s a mega partnership for prosperity.”

Analysts say India plays a key role amid China’s increasing ambitions, and Modi has recently made moves to build India’s defenses.

India watchers say that while the stakes are high for both, New Delhi has more to lose.

“As President Trump kind of initiates a trade war against the world, India's got bigger stakes than a lot of countries do in that, and they need to make sure that the relations remain stable.”

Modi, a keen political operator who has led the world’s largest democracy for more than a decade, is clearly aware of that, taking the time to meet recently with not only the U.S. vice president in France, but also the South African billionaire in Washington, Elon Musk, who has taken an active role in reshaping the United States.

Anita Powell, VOA News, the White House.

Visit voanews.com for the most up-to-date stories.

I’m Chris Casquejo.

And finally, police pull the plug on a surprise performance from a pop star in India.

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran appeared in the southern city of Bengaluru, where he held a small street performance.

Indian police stopped the event, saying he lacked the necessary permits. Sheeran responded on Instagram, claiming, “We had permission.”

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