The Trump administration is set to authorise the sale of unarmed surveillance drones to India, a congressional aide and industry representative said Friday, as the two nations' leaders prepare for their first face-to-face meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Friday.

A green light from the administration would mark a further deepening in defense ties as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.

India initiated its request to buy 22 Guardian unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance last year. The deal is estimated to be worth about $2 billion. It is still subject to Congressional approval.