A senior US State Department official has revealed that President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a “very, very positive” relationship, with plans for a high-profile meeting on the horizon. The announcement comes as the US and India gear up for the next Quad Summit, expected later this year or early 2026, hosted by India alongside leaders from Australia and Japan.
“They have an incredible connection, and you’ll see them meet soon,” the official told PTI, hinting at the strong personal rapport between the two leaders. The official also confirmed ongoing planning for the Quad Summit, a key platform for Indo-Pacific cooperation, underscoring the deepening US-India partnership.
Describing recent engagements as “highly productive,” the official highlighted continuous advancements in bilateral ties, despite occasional differences, particularly over trade and India’s purchase of Russian oil. “We’re working through these issues transparently,” the official noted, referencing Trump’s recent call to Modi to wish him on his 75th birthday as a sign of their warm ties.
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The official emphasized the appointment of Sergio Gor, Trump’s close confidant, as the US Ambassador nominee to India, signaling the high priority Washington places on New Delhi. Additionally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first meeting at the UN General Assembly with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar covered critical areas like trade, defense, and technology, further solidifying ties.
However, tensions remain, particularly over India’s Russian oil purchases. The official confirmed that the issue was raised during Rubio’s meeting with Jaishankar, with Trump pushing to cut off revenue streams to Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. “The President is clear: no revenue for Putin,” the official said, noting that the US has imposed a 25% tariff on India, bringing total levies to 50%, one of the highest globally. A proposed bipartisan bill in Congress could escalate tariffs to 500% for countries buying Russian oil.
Despite these challenges, the official reaffirmed India’s role as a “critical partner” in the Indo-Pacific. The US is also revoking exemptions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act, impacting India’s use of Chabahar Port. “This is part of our maximum pressure campaign on Iran, not just India,” the official clarified.
On the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee for new applicants, the official said the US has communicated clearly with India, emphasizing that the fee targets fraud and does not affect current visa holders. “India hasn’t raised major concerns, and we’ll monitor how it plays out,” the official added.
Reflecting on the broader relationship, the official cited US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India earlier this year, where he called US-India ties “a defining relationship of the 21st century.” With recent high-level engagements, including the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Modi’s White House visit, the official expressed confidence in the partnership’s upward trajectory.
“Despite occasional turbulence, the US-India relationship is stronger than ever and poised for even greater collaboration,” the official concluded.
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