US President Donald Trump likely to visit India next year, says THIS about trade talks with PM Modi

United States President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, calling him “a great man” and “a friend” and hinting that he may visit India next year as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at the White House after announcing a new deal to lower prices on weight-loss drugs, Trump said his talks with Prime Minister Modi were “going great.”

“He (Prime Minister Modi) has largely stopped buying from Russia. He’s my friend and we talk. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great guy. He’s my friend and we talk and he wants me to go there. We’ll figure it out, I’ll go… Prime Minister Modi is a great guy and I’ll go too,” Trump said.

When asked directly if he planned to go to India next year, Trump replied: “Maybe, yes.”

This comes months after the New York Times reported in August that US President Donald Trump no longer intends to visit India for the Quadrilateral Summit later this year, following Washington’s decision to impose heavy tariffs.

“The Nobel Prize and an Angry Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unraveled,” based on sources familiar with the president’s schedule. The report, titled, stated that although Trump had previously assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he would attend the summit in the fall, the plan has now been cancelled.

Trump made the comments at a White House press conference, where officials announced a new initiative aimed at lowering the cost of popular weight-loss drugs across the United States.

The event was paused briefly after a company representative fainted during the announcement. “During the Most Favored Nations Oval Office Announcement, a representative of one of the companies fainted. The White House Medical Unit quickly responded and the gentleman is in stable condition. The press conference will resume shortly,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

These remarks come amid ongoing trade talks between India and the US following Washington’s decision to impose a 50 percent tariff, including a 25 percent surcharge, in exchange for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

Reaffirming Trump’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties earlier on Tuesday, Leavitt said: “The President feels positive and very strong about India-US relations. A few weeks ago, he spoke directly to the Prime Minister while celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office with several senior Indian American officials at the White House.”

His remarks come after Trump’s latest claim that India has significantly reduced its purchases of Russian oil. During his Asia tour, he described New Delhi as “very good” on this issue and said Prime Minister Modi had assured him that India would reduce or stop imports of crude oil from Moscow.

Trump’s comments are in line with his administration’s broader effort to economically isolate Russia through sanctions and energy curbs amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s comments, reiterating that the country’s energy supply decisions are based on national interest and consumer welfare.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “India is a major importer of oil and gas. Protecting the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario has been our consistent priority. Our import policies are fully guided by this objective.”

He added that India’s energy policy focuses on ensuring stable prices and secure supply through source diversification.

“As far as the US is concerned, we have tried to expand our energy supply for many years. This has progressed steadily over the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)