Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States next month for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where plans are underway to arrange a high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump. The anticipated dialogue aims to resolve escalating trade frictions between the two nations amid a recent downturn in bilateral relations.
Possible UNGA Sidelines Meeting Could Address Tariffs, Russian Oil Purchases
Sources indicate that, apart from meeting Trump, PM Modi will likely engage in discussions with several foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The UNGA summit will commence in New York City during the week starting September 23, with world leaders arriving throughout the week.
If finalised, this will mark the second Modi-Trump meeting in seven months, following their February interaction at the White House. Trump had earlier invited Modi to Washington in June during the Prime Minister’s visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, but Modi declined, reportedly wary of a potential Trump meeting with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir at the same time.
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According to sources, should next month’s meeting prove productive, Modi is expected to extend a personal invitation to Trump to attend the QUAD summit in India in October. The QUAD group also includes Australia and Japan.
Trade Disputes, Tariff Hikes, and Russian Oil at the Core
While Modi and Trump developed a personal rapport during Trump’s first term, that warmth has cooled due to sharp disagreements over tariffs and trade access.
Currently, the India-US bilateral trade deal remains stalled, largely over India’s reluctance to open its agriculture and dairy markets to American products.
Tensions intensified when Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, followed by an additional 25% levy linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, effectively doubling duties to 50%.
Half of these tariffs took effect on August 7, with the remainder scheduled for August 27. In the meantime, both countries are locked in urgent negotiations to finalise a trade agreement before the second phase of tariffs is implemented.
The purchase of Russian oil has become another flashpoint, with the White House claiming it fuels Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly urged India to scale back its imports, applying pressure in the hope that reduced oil revenue would force Russia toward ending the conflict.
India has pushed back, accusing the US of double standards, pointing out that American firms continue to purchase uranium, chemicals, and fertilisers from Russia.
New Delhi is also closely monitoring the upcoming August 15 meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders are expected to discuss possible pathways to ending the war, now in its fourth year.
