Trump signals India visit next year, hails Modi as ‘great man’

Washington: US President Donald Trump has indicated plans to visit India next year, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and a “friend”.

Speaking at a White House press conference on Thursday, Trump said trade negotiations between the two countries were progressing well. “He's a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We'll figure that out. I'll go…He’s a great man and I’ll be going,” he said.

Asked specifically about a visit in 2026, Trump replied, “it could be, yeah,” and recalled his previous trip to India in 2020 as “great”.

The President also claimed that India had “largely stopped buying oil from Russia”.

His remarks follow recent comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said Trump holds “great respect” for Modi and that the two leaders speak “pretty frequently”. She added that the President “feels very positive and strongly” about the bilateral relationship.

Leavitt confirmed that Trump and his trade team are engaged in very “serious discussions” with Indian counterparts. She also cited last month’s Diwali celebration at the White House and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador to India as signs of Trump’s commitment to strengthening ties.

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

During the October 21 Diwali event, Trump praised Modi as “a great person” and expressed affection for “the people of India”.

(Inputs from IANS)