Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be heading to the United States next month for a crucial meeting with President Donald Trump, according to a report by the Indian Express on Wednesday. The visit, tied to the UN General Assembly 2025, comes at a time when trade tensions between the two nations are making headlines.
UN General Assembly on the Horizon
The UN General Assembly kicks off on September 9, with the high-profile General Debateāwhere world leaders take the stageāset for September 23-29. While Modiās appearance at the UN isnāt confirmed, sources say India has reserved a slot for its “head of government” to speak on September 26. An Indian official, however, cautioned that the list is still under revision and no final decision has been made on Modiās attendance. Indiaās foreign ministry has yet to comment on the matter.
Trade Talks Take Center Stage
While the UN meeting in New York is the official reason for the potential visit, the real spotlight is on a possible sit-down with Trump. The goal? To smooth over growing trade disputes that have strained US-India relations. The Indian Express reports that Modi aims to tackle tariff issues and work toward a bilateral trade deal during the trip.
Trumpās Tariff Bombshell
The timing couldnāt be more critical. Just days ago, Trump slapped an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total levy on Indian exports to the US to a whopping 50%āone of the highest imposed on any US trading partner. The move was a direct response to Indiaās continued purchase of Russian oil, a sore point in US-India trade talks.
Stalled Negotiations and New Hopes
Trade discussions between New Delhi and Washington have hit rough waters, collapsing after five rounds of negotiations. Disagreements over opening Indiaās farm and dairy sectors and Indiaās Russian oil purchases have been major sticking points. On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called India āa bit recalcitrantā in trade talks during an interview on Fox Business Networkās Kudlow. Still, he struck an optimistic note, saying the Trump administration hopes to wrap up major trade agreements, including with India, by the end of October. āThatās aspirational, but I think we are in a good position,ā Bessent added.
Whatās Next for US-India Ties?
With the UN General Assembly fast approaching and trade tensions simmering, all eyes are on whether Modi and Trump can find common ground. Will this meeting mark a turning point for US-India relations, or will tariffs and trade disputes continue to rock the boat? Stay tuned as this story unfolds!
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