Donald Trump To Visit India in 2026 Amid Ongoing Trade Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump recently hinted at his possible visit to India next year. Praising Indian PM Narendra Modi, he addressed him as a 'great man' and 'a friend.' 

The motive behind his visit is to strengthen trade ties between the two nations. At the White House, he unveiled a new deal to lower the prices of weight loss drugs. 

He also told reporters that his talks with Modi were going great ever since Modi's commitment to stop Russian oil imports. 

The remarks came amid trade discussions between India and the United States, after Washington's 50 percent tariff move, which also includes an additional 25 percent duty over the constant purchase of Russian oil by India.

Are US-India Ties Entering a New Phase?

According to an August report by the New York Times, this move contrasts the US president's earlier stance on visiting India after a tariff row during the Quad summit.

The report cited sources that mirrored Trump's schedule. It was headlined “The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unravelled.”

According to the New York Times, relations between Mr. Modi and Mr. Trump have cooled. Trump, who earlier told Modi he would visit India for the Quad summit, no longer plans to make the trip.

Trump’s Take on Russian Oil, Tariff Tensions with India

At the White House briefing, Trump had earlier revealed his discussion with PM Modi on his India visit. 

Here, he announced his new stance on cutting down the cost of weight loss drugs across the United States. 

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later reaffirmed the commitment of India-US ties by Trump, who spoke with the Indian Prime Minister at the White House during Diwali. 

The US president, who applauded India for halting Russian oil imports, said that Modi has assured him that he will stop the crude purchase from Moscow. 

Responding to his claims, India's MEA reasserted that the source of the country's energy is for national interest and consumer welfare. 

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also stated that India has always been focusing on its energy security and will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States.