US President Donald Trump on Thursday said talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an India-US trade deal are going well and he may visit the country next year.
Trump said this while answering a question about the trade deal negotiations.
“They (trade talks) are going well. He’s a friend of mine and we’re talking and he wants me to go there (to India). We’ll figure it out, I’ll go,” Trump said.
Trump further added that PM Modi is a great person.
“It could be, yes,” Trump said when asked if he planned to visit India next year.
The US president’s remarks came a day after the White House said Trump speaks frequently with Modi and trade teams from the two countries continue to hold talks.
On Wednesday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India and the US are in ongoing discussions on a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
“Talks are going well…and they are going on continuously…co samvedanasheel mudde hai, kaee gambheer mudde hai, toh svaabhaavik hai ki thoda samay lagega (There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so it is natural that it will take some time),” Goyal told reporters.
Last month, Modi and Trump discussed trade issues in a phone call amid efforts by both sides to mend bilateral ties, amid tensions in India-US relations over the imposition of 50% tariffs, including a 25% levy on the purchase of Russian oil in India.
In his remarks after calling for an extension of Diwali greetings, Trump described the Indo-US relationship as “great” and said both sides were working on “great deals”.
The Indian text said Modi underscored the enduring strength of the Indo-US partnership and reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting international cooperation.
On October 11, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor also held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues and said that President Donald Trump considers the Prime Minister a great and personal friend.
India and the US are in constant discussions
So far, five rounds of negotiations on the first phase of the US-India bilateral trade agreement have been completed.
Last month, a team of Indian officials led by Commerce Minister Rajesh Agrawal visited Washington for trade talks with their American counterparts.
