Signalling a thaw in recent trade strains, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that talks with New Delhi were going smoothly and suggested he could travel to India next year. While speaking to reporters, Trump hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great man” and “a friend”, while signalling that he may travel to India next year to bolster economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing reporters, Trump said his recent conversations with PM Modi had been “going great”. He added that Modi had invited him to India and he was open to making the trip.
“He (PM Modi) largely stopped buying from Russia. And he is a friend of mine, and we speak,” Trump said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great man. 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,” he told reporters.
VIDEO | Washington: Responding to a question regarding trade deal with India during a press conference at the White House, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) said:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 7, 2025
"Trade deals with PM Modi going good, he has largely stopped buying oil from Russia; he is a friend and wants me to… pic.twitter.com/wwxjbWpRHm
Trump’s comments come at a time when several contentious issues have created friction between New Delhi and Washington. India currently faces US tariffs as high as 50% on its exports and the American administration’s proposed $100,000 fee for H1B visas has raised concerns in India’s technology sector. Trump has also repeatedly claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and criticised India’s continued purchase of Russian crude.
Despite these tensions, diplomatic engagement between the two governments continues. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, when asked for an update on the trade talks, told ANI on Wednesday, “Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive and serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time.”
India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US Senator Steve Daines on Thursday to discuss trade ties, the newly signed 10-year defence framework agreement and opportunities for collaboration in technology and innovation.
In a statement posted on X, Kwatra thanked Senator Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for his support in deepening bilateral ties. He described the meeting as an “enriching conversation”.