Former US President Donald Trump announced during a campaign event on September 17 that he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States next week. The announcement was made at a town hall meeting in Flint, Michigan, where Trump is actively campaigning for the 2024 presidential election.
Trump’s statement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of international trade policies and diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his remarks, Trump praised PM Modi as a “fantastic man” but simultaneously criticized India for its trade practices, describing the country as a “very big abuser” of import tariffs.
“He happens to be coming to meet me next week,” Trump said, highlighting his admiration for PM Modi as a “fantastic leader” while also addressing concerns about India’s trade policies. Trump criticized India’s tariffs as being particularly harsh, noting that such policies impact trade relations and create imbalances.
Trump’s critique of India’s trade practices is part of a broader narrative he has been advancing in his campaign. He suggested that leaders from countries like India are “at the top of their game” and use their positions to their advantage in trade negotiations. Trump emphasised that these leaders, including PM Modi, are among the sharpest minds and noted the challenges the US faces in negotiating with them. He also indicated his intent to implement reciprocal trade policies, asserting that if a country charges high tariffs, the US would impose similar tariffs in response. This approach, he argued, could either balance trade relations or generate significant revenue.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States is scheduled from September 21 to 23, and it will be marked by several significant engagements. On September 21, PM Modi will attend the fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware. The summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden, will bring together leaders from India, Australia, and Japan to discuss strategic cooperation and regional security issues. This summit is a key component of the Quad’s efforts to enhance collaboration among its member countries.
Following the Quad Summit, PM Modi will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23. The summit, themed ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,’ aims to address global challenges and promote multilateral cooperation. PM Modi’s address is expected to focus on India’s role in global governance and its contributions to addressing international issues.
In addition to these engagements, PM Modi will address a gathering of the Indian community in New York on September 22. This event will provide an opportunity for PM Modi to connect with the Indian diaspora in the US and highlight the strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
PM Modi will also meet with CEOs of leading US-based companies to discuss potential collaborations in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. This part of PM Modi’s visit underscores India’s focus on strengthening technological and economic partnerships with the US.
The upcoming meeting between PM Modi and Trump is set against a backdrop of evolving diplomatic and trade relations. The two leaders last met in February 2020 when Trump visited India, an event marked by the high-profile ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Ahmedabad, which also saw the inauguration of the world’s largest cricket stadium. PM Modi had previously visited the US in 2019, participating in the “Howdy, Modi!” rally in Texas, which highlighted the growing engagement between the two nations.
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