Trump May Visit India in 2026, Commends Modi as 'Great Man' Amid Revived Trade Talks
US President Donald Trump said he may visit India next year at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation, praising Modi as a 'great man' and friend. Trade negotiations have resumed despite previous tensions over US tariffs. Trump claimed India has largely stopped buying Russian oil and reiterated his assertion he helped end an India-Pakistan conflict through tariffs, though India disputes this claim. The Quad summit, originally planned for India this year, is now expected in 2026.
President Donald Trump publicly indicated a potential visit to India in 2026, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi—whom he called a 'great man' and a friend—has asked him to come and that he will 'figure that out.' Trump's comments confirm that the Quad leaders' summit, which India was expected to host this year, will be pushed to 2026. While India's Ministry of External Affairs did not confirm these plans, government sources indicate that scheduling for such a high-profile visit is influenced by the progress on a US-India trade deal. Bilateral trade talks had stalled after Trump imposed significant tariffs on India, including a 25% levy over India's purchase of Russian oil, but negotiations have since resumed, with Indian officials believing a trade deal could resolve the tariff dispute and pave the way for smoother diplomatic engagement and the Quad summit’s scheduling. Trump also repeated his claim that India has 'largely stopped buying oil from Russia,' which is seen as a positive development in the eyes of the US administration. Notably, he once again took credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, asserting that eight planes were downed and the conflict was resolved within 24 hours due to his threat of tariffs. Indian officials, however, maintain that the ceasefire was the result of direct negotiations between the two countries' militaries and have stopped responding to such claims by Trump. No official timeline has been set for the Quad summit, though Australian Prime Minister Albanese has suggested the first quarter of next year as a possible window.
