Trump Signals Upcoming India Visit, Calls PM Modi a “Great Friend” as Trade Talks Advance

Washington, Nov 2025 : US President Donald Trump has indicated that he may visit India soon, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and a “friend,” while expressing strong optimism about ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.

During a press conference at the White House on Thursday, Trump said discussions on a potential trade agreement with India were progressing “very well.” When asked whether he intended to travel to India in the near future, Trump responded enthusiastically. “He’s a friend of mine, and we speak. 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. Pressed further on whether the visit could take place next year, Trump added, “It could be, yeah.”

Trump also fondly recalled his last trip to India in February 2020, when he and First Lady Melania Trump were hosted by Prime Minister Modi during the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad. “I had a great trip there with the Prime Minister,” he said, describing it as one of the most memorable international visits of his presidency.

The US President additionally claimed that India has “largely stopped buying oil from Russia,” a statement made in the broader context of discussions on global energy markets and geopolitical alignments.

Trump’s comments come just days after the White House underscored the strength of India-US relations under his administration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding to questions earlier this week, said the President holds “great respect” for Prime Minister Modi and maintains regular communication with him. “He feels very positive and strongly about the bilateral relationship,” she said. “I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi, and they speak pretty frequently.”

Leavitt also revealed that Trump’s trade team is engaged in “very serious discussions” with Indian officials to resolve long-pending issues and move toward a new trade understanding. “The President and his trade team continue to be in very serious discussions with India with respect to that topic,” she added.

The Press Secretary pointed to recent developments as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with India. These include the White House Diwali celebration last month, attended by senior Indian-American officials, and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India. “He will represent our country very well,” Leavitt said.

On October 21, Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House, where he described Modi as “a great person” and reiterated his admiration for the people of India. The warm gestures, combined with ongoing diplomatic activity, suggest that a presidential visit to New Delhi may indeed be on the horizon.