Trump Says He Will Visit India Next Year, Calls PM Modi a ‘Great Man and Friend’

Washington – US President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit India soon, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and “a friend,” while highlighting strong progress in ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.

Speaking at a press conference at the White House on Thursday, Trump said talks on a trade agreement with India were going “very well.”

“He’s a friend of mine, and we speak. He wants me to go there. We’ll figure that out. I’ll go… He’s a great man, and I’ll be going,” Trump said when asked about a possible visit.

When pressed further on the timing, he replied, “It could be, yeah,” suggesting the visit might take place next year. Trump also recalled his 2020 visit to India, saying, “I had a great trip there with the Prime Minister.”

The US President also claimed that India has “largely stopped buying oil from Russia,” reflecting growing alignment between Washington and New Delhi on key global issues.

Trump’s remarks come shortly after the White House reaffirmed his “great respect” for Prime Minister Modi and his strong support for India-US relations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding to a question on bilateral ties earlier this week, said, “The President feels very positive and strongly about the relationship with India. I know he has great respect for Prime Minister Modi, and they speak pretty frequently.”

Leavitt added that the two sides are engaged in “very serious discussions” on trade. “The President and his trade team continue to be in very serious discussions with India with respect to that topic,” she said.

Highlighting the growing cultural and diplomatic engagement, Leavitt also referred to Trump’s Diwali celebration at the White House last month and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India as signs of the administration’s commitment to strengthening ties.

“He recently spoke directly to the Prime Minister when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian American officials. We have a great US Ambassador to India in Mr. Sergio Gor, who will represent our country very well,” she said.

At the October 21 Diwali event, Trump had described Modi as “a great person” and said he “loves the people of India.”

With inputs from IANS