Trump to meet Modi during upcoming US visit

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States next week, a meeting that comes as the two nations navigate complex trade tensions.

Trump, the current Republican presidential nominee, made the announcement during a campaign event in Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday.

While expressing admiration for Modi, Trump didn’t shy away from addressing trade disputes with India. “He’s fantastic. I mean, fantastic, man. A lot of these leaders are fantastic,” Trump remarked. However, he pointedly described India as a “very big abuser” in trade, highlighting the challenges that persist between the two nations. “India is very tough, Brazil is very tough,” he added, implying that these countries have outmaneuvered the U.S. in certain areas of global trade.

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Trump’s comments come at a crucial time as he squares off against Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris in a highly competitive race for the White House. Although Trump has not provided further details about his upcoming meeting with Modi, the Indian prime minister is slated to attend a Quad summit in the U.S., a key geopolitical forum involving Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.

Modi’s visit will also include his participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as well as meetings with the Indian-American community, an influential voting bloc. Trump and Modi were known for their close relationship during Trump’s first term in office, marked by Modi hosting a 125,000-strong rally in India for Trump in 2020.

With both leaders expected to address strategic and economic issues, the upcoming meeting could shed light on how the U.S.-India relationship may evolve in the face of shifting global dynamics.