US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Saturday that President Donald Trump plans to visit India early next year. He highlighted the close personal ties between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while describing India-US relations as strong.
In remarks to the news agency IANS in Washington, Rubio indicated he intends to travel to India before the end of the year to complete arrangements for the presidential trip.
He expressed optimism about the timing, noting India as a key partner of the United States and stressing the importance of the leaders’ close relationship in diplomacy.
If realized, the visit would be Trump’s first to India since February 2020 and his initial one during his second term. The two leaders last held bilateral talks at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, marking their first such meeting in 16 months.
Rubio described the leaders’ relationship as excellent. The planned trip coincides with ongoing talks on a bilateral trade agreement, which he said is close to completion.
He added that both nations anticipate another Quad meeting and that he aims to return to India by year’s end to prepare for the visit. Rubio also praised Modi’s role in raising India’s global profile, calling him a fan of the prime minister.
On energy matters, Rubio noted cooperation to boost supplies and highlighted India’s ability to process heavy crude.
