New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the United States in late September to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump, according to media reports. The visit, which is likely to coincide with the high-level General Debate of the UNGA from September 23 to 29, comes amid heightened trade tensions between the two countries following the imposition of steep US tariffs on Indian goods.
Modi is scheduled to address the UNGA on September 26, sharing the morning session with leaders from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Indian officials are reportedly working to finalize the itinerary by the end of August, with the trip expected to focus on both multilateral diplomacy and efforts to reset strained bilateral ties with Washington.
The talks with Trump are likely to center on the 50% tariff imposed by the US, which includes a 25% levy on certain imports and an additional 25% penalty linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move has stalled trade negotiations, which collapsed after five rounds earlier this year over disagreements on agricultural market access and India’s relations with Russia. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently described India as “recalcitrant” in the discussions, though he expressed optimism about reaching an agreement by the end of October.
Diplomatic sources suggest that the Modi–Trump meeting could pave the way for a possible invitation for the US president to visit India in October for the QUAD summit. Modi’s trip also comes in the context of his recent conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reflecting New Delhi’s interest in playing a role in broader geopolitical negotiations, including the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
The sixth round of India–US trade talks is expected to take place in New Delhi later this month, with both sides aiming to finalize the first phase of a bilateral trade deal by October or November. The outcome of Modi’s upcoming visit will be closely watched for signs of progress on both trade and strategic cooperation.