US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that planning is underway for US President Donald Trump’s visit to India early next year, weeks after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.
Speaking to IANS, Rubio said he also plans to return to India on a visit by the end of 2026.
“We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister, as did the President at the G7. We hope to finalize a trade agreement. We are in the last few steps to getting it done, which is very positive. We look forward to re-engaging again in another Quad meeting very soon, and I look forward to returning myself before the end of the year and arranging a presidential visit in the early parts of next year,” Rubio said.
Trump’s visit to India will be the first for the US president since he visited New Delhi, Agra and Ahmedabad in 2020. The visit included a Namaste Trump event at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, attended by more than 100,000 people.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore also referred to the recent meeting between Modi and Trump in France, saying the two leaders discussed a range of issues, including defense cooperation.
Gore said several major announcements could be made in the coming months after the talks.
“I think we are in a great position. One of the biggest pillars of this relationship is the bond between the President and the Prime Minister. This relationship has always remained strong. Sometimes the media likes to portray it as if something has happened, but the President and the Prime Minister are great friends. This friendship goes back years and will continue for years to come. Every time the two talk, great things happen. Since my arrival in India, my goal has been to ensure that the two sides stay in regular contact, continue to move the relationship forward, and identify win-win opportunities. “To both sides,” Gaur said. “Our two countries.”
