Trump Confirms Potential India Visit Amid Strengthening US-India Strategic Partnership

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the QUAD continues to be a "valuable platform" for cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.

New Delhi:

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated they have 'nothing' to share regarding US President Donald Trump's potential visit to India, despite his recent comments suggesting he might travel to the country next year.

The Quad alliance includes the United States, Australia, Japan, and India. New Delhi was originally scheduled to host the Quad summit in 2025.

During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked whether the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue would proceed without Trump or be rescheduled for next year during the US President's visit. He emphasized that the grouping remains a "valuable platform" for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Regarding President Trump's comments about visiting India, I currently have nothing to share. When I have information to provide, I will certainly let you know," Jaiswal stated.

He highlighted recent Quad activities, specifically mentioning the Quad Ports of the Future Conference, which took place during the India Maritime Week in Mumbai on October 29 and 30.

"We view the Quad as a valuable forum for the four partners to discuss matters of importance and mutual interest concerning the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad is making consistent progress. Recently, during India Maritime Week in Mumbai, we hosted the Quad Ports of the Future Conference on October 29th and 30th. Nearly 24 countries participated, including all four Quad partners," he added.

On Thursday, Trump had indicated a possible visit to India next year as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

While speaking to reporters at the White House after announcing a new deal to reduce prices of weight loss medications, Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as "a great man" and "a friend," while suggesting his potential visit.

"He (PM Modi) has largely stopped purchasing from Russia. He is my friend, and we communicate regularly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great man. He's a friend of mine, and we speak often. He wants me to visit India. We will work out the details; I will go... Prime Minister Modi is a great man and I will be visiting," Trump said.

When specifically asked if he planned to travel to India next year, Trump responded, "It could be, yes."

This comes several months after The New York Times reported in August that the US president no longer planned to attend the upcoming Quad Summit in India, following Washington's decision to impose substantial tariffs.

Citing sources familiar with the President's schedule, the report, titled "The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unravelled", noted that although Trump had previously assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi he would attend the fall summit, those plans have now been canceled.