Global Diplomacy in Spotlight: PM Modi May Meet Trump During High-Stakes US Visit

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States in September to attend the high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, where he is likely to meet US President Donald Trump. The discussions are expected to cover trade disputes, tariffs, and India’s purchase of oil from Russia.

Sources indicate that PM Modi also plans to meet other world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The UNGA session is scheduled for the week starting September 23. Relations between India and the US have seen friction recently, particularly over opening India’s agriculture and dairy sectors to American markets — a sticking point delaying a comprehensive trade agreement.

The US has announced a 50% tariff on certain Indian goods, with 25% already implemented on August 7 and the remaining 25% set to take effect on August 27. Both nations are engaged in urgent negotiations to reach a resolution before the deadline.

Another key flashpoint is India’s continued oil imports from Russia. Washington argues these purchases financially aid Russia’s war against Ukraine, while India has dismissed the criticism as hypocritical, pointing out that the US itself imports uranium, chemicals, and fertilizers from Russia.

During his visit, PM Modi may invite President Trump to the QUAD Summit scheduled in India this October. If the meeting happens, it will be their second in seven months, following Modi’s February trip to Washington, D.C. India is also closely watching the planned August 15 meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could address ending the three-year Russia–Ukraine conflict. New Delhi views the talks as critical for global stability.