WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said he intends to visit India soon, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great man” and a close friend. Speaking at a press conference at the White House on Thursday, Trump said ongoing trade discussions between the two countries are progressing positively.
“He’s a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there,” Trump said. “We’ll figure that out. I’ll go. He’s a great man and I’ll be going.” When asked whether the trip might take place next year, the President responded, “It could be, yeah.” He also recalled his last visit to India in 2020, saying he had “a great trip” with the Prime Minister.
Trump also claimed that India has “largely stopped buying oil from Russia,” though Indian officials have continued to maintain that energy purchases are based on national economic considerations.
The comments come days after the White House emphasized the administration’s close relationship with New Delhi. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump and Modi speak “pretty frequently” and described the President as holding a “very positive” view of India-U.S. ties. She said trade negotiations are ongoing and “serious,” indicating that senior officials on both sides remain engaged.
Leavitt also pointed to recent developments as signs of strengthened ties, including Trump’s Diwali celebration at the White House with Indian American officials and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the new U.S. Ambassador to India.
During the Diwali event on October 21, Trump referred to Modi as “a great person” and expressed admiration for the Indian diaspora, stating that he “loves the people of India.”
If confirmed, Trump’s visit would mark another high-profile chapter in the relationship between Washington and New Delhi, which has expanded significantly in recent years across defense cooperation, technology, and strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific. (Source: IANS)
