Former US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will be meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. The statement was made during a campaign rally in Michigan, where Trump also touched on the subject of trade relations with India, calling the country a “very big abuser” in trade matters. However, he added that Modi is “fantastic,” emphasizing their strong personal rapport.
He happens to be coming to meet me next week, Trump said, without providing specific details on the location or agenda of the meeting. Interestingly, India’s Ministry of External Affairs released Modi’s schedule for his upcoming US visit, but there was no official mention of a planned meeting with Trump.
Biden to Host Quad Leaders in Delaware
US President Joe Biden is set to host a summit of Quad Leaders on September 21 in Delaware, which will include Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Modi is also scheduled to attend official events in New York, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
In recent months, other world leaders who visited the US for meetings with Biden have also made time to meet Trump, reflecting his continued influence on the international stage as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election.
Trump-Modi Relationship
During Trump’s presidency, the relationship between him and Modi was notably warm. The two leaders were seen praising each other publicly, particularly during Modi’s 2019 US visit to the Howdy, Modi! event in Texas, which attracted over 50,000 attendees. Similarly, Modi hosted a grand Namaste Trump rally in 2020 during Trump’s visit to India, further strengthening their diplomatic ties.
As Trump prepares for the upcoming elections, his meeting with Modi could play a significant role in his foreign policy discussions on the campaign trail.
