A possible visit to India by United States President Donald Trump next year has been suggested, with the President expressing his intention to travel to the country. President Trump also extended warm words for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “great man” and a “friend.”
Addressing reporters at the White House, Trump conveyed that his dialogue with PM Modi has been productive. “He (PM Modi) largely stopped buying from Russia. And he is a friend of mine, and we speak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great man. He is a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out, I will go… Prime Minister Modi is a great man, and I will be going,” Trump stated.
When asked specifically about plans to visit India in the next year, Trump replied, “It could be, yes.” This statement was made during a press briefing where the administration unveiled a plan to lower the cost of certain weight-loss medications domestically.
This indication of a potential trip emerges after earlier speculation that Trump would skip the Quad Summit in India. It also comes amidst ongoing trade talks between the US and India, particularly concerning tariffs imposed by the US over India’s continued oil purchases from Russia. India has maintained that its energy decisions are driven by national interest.