United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit India in the future, signalling improving relations between Washington and New Delhi after a period of diplomatic tensions.Speaking after a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said he would visit India “sometime in the future” and expressed optimism that both countries were close to finalising a trade agreement.
The meeting comes amid efforts by both nations to strengthen ties following disagreements over trade policies and recent security concerns.Relations between the two countries had come under strain after the Trump administration announced plans to impose tariffs on Indian goods. Tensions were further heightened following the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman last week.
The sailors were killed when US forces targeted a tanker accused of violating Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports. During the meeting, Modi reportedly raised concerns about the safety of Indian sailors working in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump described Modi as a “tough negotiator” and reaffirmed America’s commitment to its defence partnership with India. “If anybody attacks that man, we’re going to be there,” Trump said while responding to questions about the relationship between the two countries.
The leaders also discussed ongoing trade negotiations, with officials from both sides expected to meet in New Delhi next week to continue talks aimed at finalising a trade deal.
India’s commerce secretary recently described the negotiations as being in their “final touches”, although discussions have faced challenges over tariffs and proposed US import taxes linked to concerns about forced labour.
The meeting marked a notable improvement in tone between the two leaders following months of disagreements over trade, immigration policies, and Trump’s previous comments regarding mediation in the Kashmir dispute.
Addressing world leaders at the G7 summit, Modi stressed the importance of trust in international relations and highlighted concerns over the impact of the Middle East conflict on Indian citizens and global energy supplies. India, which imports about 90 percent of its oil needs, has been significantly affected by disruptions linked to the conflict and uncertainty surrounding shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite recent tensions, both countries appear keen to strengthen cooperation on trade, defence and strategic issues, with Trump’s proposed visit expected to further reinforce bilateral relations.
