Indian PM Modi likely to meet Trump next month: report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet US President Donald Trump during a trip to the United States next month for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Indian Express reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately comment on the report. However, an Indian government official familiar with the matter said no final decision had been made on Modi’s attendance.

The official added that countries often reserve speaking slots for their leaders in the UNGA’s general debate, which explains why India’s “head of government” is listed for September 26 in a provisional schedule.

“The list will go through revisions,” the official said, adding that a decision on Modi’s travel plans was still pending.

The UNGA will open on September 9, while the high-level general debate, attended by world leaders, will run from September 23 to 29. If Modi attends, the primary agenda would be the UN meeting in New York, but the Indian Express reported that a significant objective could also be direct talks with Trump to address trade and tariff disputes that have strained relations in recent months.

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The possibility of the visit emerges shortly after Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil. The move has raised the total tariff on Indian exports to the US to 50%, one of the steepest rates applied to any American trading partner.

Trade negotiations between the two countries stalled after five rounds of discussions, with disagreements over market access for US farm and dairy products and India’s energy purchases from Russia.

On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business Network’s “Kudlow” that several major trade agreements remained unfinished, including those with Switzerland and India. He described New Delhi as “a bit recalcitrant” in negotiations but expressed optimism about concluding talks.