United States President Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “a great man” and “a friend.” He also hinted at a possible visit to India next year, signaling ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties.
Trump Praises Modi at the White House
During a White House press briefing about lowering the cost of weight loss drugs, Trump said his conversations with Modi were going “great.”
“He largely stopped buying from Russia. He is a friend of mine, and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out; I will go… Prime Minister Modi is a great man, and I will be going,” Trump said.
When asked if he planned to visit India next year, Trump replied, “It could be, yes.”
Quad Summit and Trade Tensions
Trump’s comments come months after The New York Times reported that he would not attend the upcoming Quad Summit in India. The report, titled “The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unravelled,” said he initially assured Modi he would attend. But the plan changed after the U.S. imposed heavy tariffs on Indian goods.
This shows the complex nature of U.S.-India trade relations, affected by both economic policies and global politics.
White House Initiative to Reduce Drug Prices
The briefing focused on a new plan to lower costs for popular weight loss drugs in the U.S. A company representative fainted briefly during the event. The White House Medical Unit acted quickly, and the briefing continued smoothly.
Although this initiative is not directly linked to U.S.-India relations, it shows Trump’s administration balancing domestic priorities with international diplomacy.
Trade and Energy Relations
Trump’s remarks came amid ongoing trade discussions between India and the U.S. Washington recently imposed a 50% tariff, including additional duties, on India’s purchase of Russian oil.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s strong commitment to bilateral ties. She mentioned that he spoke directly to Modi during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office with senior Indian-American officials.
During his Asia tour, Trump praised India for reducing Russian oil imports. He called India “very good” on the issue and said Modi had assured him that crude purchases from Moscow would be limited. This aligns with the U.S. effort to isolate Russia economically amid the war in Ukraine.
India’s Energy Policy
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that its energy decisions focus on national interests and consumer welfare.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“India is a major importer of oil and gas. Our priority has always been to protect the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy market. Our import policies are guided by this goal.”
He added that India continues to diversify its energy sources to maintain stable prices and secure supply. Discussions with the U.S. on deepening energy cooperation are ongoing.
What This Means for U.S.-India Relations
Trump’s comments show his willingness to strengthen relations with India despite earlier tensions over tariffs and energy. A possible visit could boost trade, energy cooperation, and strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Even though details of a visit are uncertain, the dialogue between Trump and Modi highlights the importance of their relationship, balancing economic interests with global strategic considerations.
Nisham Ismail 
Leslie Rajan