Trump Calls PM Modi "A Great Man," Hints at Potential India Visit in 2025 Amid Trade Negotiations

United States President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, referring to him as "a great man" and "a friend," while suggesting he may visit India next year as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

During a White House press briefing after announcing a new deal to reduce weight loss drug prices, Trump stated that his discussions with PM Modi were "going great."

"He (PM Modi) largely stopped buying from Russia. He is a friend of mine, and we speak, 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 remarked.

When directly questioned about a potential trip to India next year, Trump responded, "It could be, yes."

This statement comes several months after The New York Times reported in August that Trump had abandoned plans to attend the upcoming Quad Summit in India later this year, following Washington's decision to impose substantial tariffs.

According to the report titled "The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unravelled," sources familiar with the President's schedule indicated that although Trump had previously assured Prime Minister Modi of his attendance at the fall summit, this plan has since been canceled.

Trump made these comments during a White House briefing where officials introduced a new initiative aimed at lowering the cost of popular weight loss medications across the United States.

The event was briefly interrupted when a company representative fainted during the announcement. "During the Most Favoured Nations Oval Office Announcement, a representative with one of the companies fainted. The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay. The press conference will resume shortly," stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

These remarks occur amid continuing trade negotiations between India and the United States following Washington's implementation of a 50 percent tariff, including 25 percent additional duties, over India's continued acquisition of Russian oil.

Earlier on Tuesday, reaffirming Trump's dedication to strengthening bilateral relations, Leavitt stated, "The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship. A few weeks ago, he spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian-American officials here at the White House."

Her comments follow Trump's recent claim that India had significantly decreased its purchase of Russian oil. During his Asia tour, he described New Delhi as being "very good" on the issue and said Prime Minister Modi had assured him that India would reduce or stop crude imports from Moscow.

Trump's statements align with his administration's broader efforts to economically isolate Russia through sanctions and energy restrictions amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump's comments, reiterating that the country's energy sourcing decisions are based on national interests and consumer welfare.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective." He added that India's energy policy focuses on ensuring stable prices and secured supplies through diversified sourcing.

"Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing," Jaiswal said.