Trump Hints at 2026 India Visit, Calls PM Modi a ‘Great Man’ Amid Thaw in Trade Ties

United States President Donald Trump teased a potential trip to India in 2026 during a White House press conference on Thursday, lavishing praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great man" and close friend amid warming bilateral ties. Responding to queries on trade negotiations, Trump said discussions are "going good," crediting Modi's reported pivot away from Russian oil imports—down from 38% to minimal levels—as a key factor in easing tensions. This optimistic tone marks a shift from August reports suggesting Trump had scrapped plans for a Quad Summit visit due to tariff disputes, signaling renewed momentum in US-India relations.

Trump's remarks came after unveiling a new initiative to cut prices on weight loss drugs, where he highlighted frequent chats with Modi: "He is a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out, I will go." When pressed on a 2026 timeline, he affirmed, "It could be, yes," underscoring the personal rapport driving diplomatic progress. This comes as the leaders push for a landmark Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with five rounds of talks completed since February, aiming to balloon current $191 billion in bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

The potential visit arrives against a backdrop of resolved frictions over energy sourcing. Last month, Trump claimed Modi assured him India had "de-escalated and more or less stopped" buying Russian crude, a move India framed as strategic diversification to align with market dynamics and global pressures. India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has expressed confidence in meeting a November deadline for the BTA's first phase, following "positive and forward-looking" sessions in New Delhi and Washington. US negotiators, led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, echoed this sentiment, viewing the pact as a cornerstone for economic resilience.

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Strains from Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian goods—including a 25% penalty tied to Russian oil purchases—had tested the partnership, but recent overtures suggest a thaw. Trump reiterated his role in de-escalating India-Pakistan hostilities through trade leverage, denying third-party mediation claims. With India importing just 34% of its crude from Russia and ramping up US energy ties—now covering 10% of needs—the stage is set for deeper collaboration in defense, technology, and clean energy under frameworks like the Quad.

As negotiations intensify, Trump's hinted visit could serve as a capstone, potentially hosted in New Delhi or Mumbai to spotlight cultural exchanges alongside deal signings. Analysts see it as a win for Modi's "neighborhood first" diplomacy, bolstering India's global stature while advancing Trump's "America First" agenda through reciprocal market access. With both leaders eyeing legacy-defining pacts, 2026 promises high-stakes summits that could redefine Indo-Pacific dynamics for decades.

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