Trump Calls Modi “A Friend” and Hints at India Visit Amid India-US Trade Talks:

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday praised his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi as “a great man” and “a friend,” and suggested he might travel to India next year in connection with ongoing trade discussions between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said his talks with Modi were “going great,” adding: “He largely stopped buying from Russia. 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.” When asked directly if he planned to visit India in 2026, the former president replied, “It could be, yes.” The remarks come as both nations work to strengthen trade ties and align strategic interests. This announcement followed a separate White House event in which Trump unveiled a new initiative aimed at cutting the prices of popular weight-loss drugs for Americans. The press briefing was momentarily interrupted after a company representative fainted, but organisers confirmed the individual was okay and the conference resumed. In August, however, The New York Times reported that Trump had dropped plans to attend the upcoming Quad summit in India, following Washington’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on Indian goods. That report argued that although Trump had previously assured Prime Minister Modi of his attendance, the plan no longer stood. Still, Thursday’s comments underline Washington’s fresh push to deepen bilateral engagement with New Delhi. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump’s enthusiasm, stating: “The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship. A few weeks ago, he spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian-American officials here at the White House.” Trump’s praise of Modi comes in the context of the US seeking to economically isolate Russia over the war in Ukraine, and the assertion that India has sharply curtailed its Russian oil imports. During a tour of Asia, Trump described New Delhi as being “very good” on the issue and cited Modi’s assurances that India would stop or reduce crude imports from Moscow. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded by underscoring that India’s energy sourcing decisions rest on national interest and consumer welfare. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained: “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.” He emphasized that while India has steadily expanded energy procurement from the US over the past decade, ongoing discussions reflect a mutual intention to deepen cooperation. As India and the US continue to navigate a complex web of trade, energy, and strategic considerations, Trump’s friendly remarks offer a boost to bilateral relations. Whether the hinted 2026 visit materialises remains to be seen—but the message is clear: Washington is signalling renewed focus on New Delhi as a partner of choice.

NEWS