U.S. President Donald Trump said that trade talks with New Delhi were going well, and he could visit the country next year.
Trump, who was speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, said India “has largely stopped buying oil from Russia,” and if Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended him an invite, he would visit the country in 2026.
Evoking memories of his last visit to India, Trump called Modi “his friend” and a “great man.”
In the last few months, India and U.S. relations have been under stress, with experts warning of missing chemistry between the two leaders, leading to a disconnect between India-U.S. ties.
Steep tariffs, a $100,000 fee for H1B visas, and Trump’s repeated claims of having brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan — along with India’s purchases of Russian crude — are among the issues that have led to a deterioration of ties between New Delhi and Washington in recent months, according to experts.
India currently faces 50% tariffs on its exports, higher than the 47% duties on China.
