As the two nations continue their trade talks, US President Donald Trump hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and hinted that he would visit India next year.
After unveiling a plan to lower the cost of weight loss medications, Trump told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Modi were going well. Additionally, he reaffirmed his close relationship with the prime minister.
"PM Modi mostly stopped purchasing goods from Russia. Additionally, I talk to him since we are friends. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, is a wonderful man. I spoke to a friend of mine, and he encourages me to go there. I'll go, and we'll work that out. "I will be going, and Prime Minister Modi is a great man," Trump declared.
In response to a question about whether he intended to travel to India the following year, Trump said, "It could be, yes." The announcement coincides with ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi following the US imposition of a 50% tariff and an extra 25% charge on India's purchase of Russian oil.
"The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship," stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier on Tuesday.
When he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with numerous senior Indian-American officials in the White House a few weeks ago, he had a direct conversation with the Prime Minister."
Trump recently asserted that India had cut back on its imports of Russian oil. He claimed that Prime Minister Modi had informed him that India will cut back on or cease importing oil from Moscow and that New Delhi was "very good" on the matter during his Asia tour.
In reaction to Trump's remarks earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed that the nation bases its energy sourcing decisions on consumer welfare and national interests.
India is a major importer of gas and oil, according to MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal. Protecting Indian consumers interests in an unstable energy environment has always been our top priority. This goal serves as the sole basis for our import policies.
