Modi a ‘Great Man’ Trump May Visit India Next Year

U.S. President Donald Trump has described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “friend and a great man,” saying that he may visit India next year to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said his discussions with Modi had been going tremendously well.

Referring to India’s reduced oil purchases from Russia, Trump said, “Modi is basically stopping buying from Russia. Prime Minister Modi is a great man. He’s a friend of mine. We talk — he wants me to come there. We’ll make a decision about that.”

When asked whether he was planning to visit India next year, Trump replied, “Yes, it could happen.”

Earlier, Trump had said he would not attend the upcoming Quad Summit in India later this year. His latest remarks come just a few months after that statement.

Relations between the two countries had cooled somewhat after the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on India. Analysts believe Trump’s comments about a potential visit indicate an effort to move past that period of tension. His planned trip could signal a thaw in trade relations and an easing of the strain between Trump and Modi over tariff disputes.