Rubio says Trump could visit India in early 2027 amid trade deal push

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is working towards arranging a visit to India by President Donald Trump early next year as the two countries move closer to concluding a bilateral trade agreement, IANS reported on Saturday.

“We’re hoping that’s what we’re working towards – sometime early next year to have the President come. I think it’s very positive. India is such a close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldn’t be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy,” Rubio said.

Rubio is likely to travel to India this year to prepare for the president’s visit, he told IANS.

“We’re working towards ⁠sometime early next year to have the president come,” Rubio said, according to IANS.

If the visit takes place, it will mark Trump’s first trip to India since February 2020 and his first since returning to the White House for a second term.

Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, in what was their first bilateral meeting in 16 months. Trump said they had a “very good” conversation.

Praising the relationship between the two leaders, the US Secretary of State said, “the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister of India is great.”

India has been pressing the United States for months for a Trump visit, potentially as part of a meeting including Japan and Australia.

The proposed visit comes as New Delhi and Washington continue negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, which Rubio said was nearing completion.

“I think it’s going fantastic. It’s very strong. We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister, the President did at the G7. We’re hoping to finalise a trade deal. We’re on the last inches of getting it done and it’s very positive,” he said.

In the IANS interview, Rubio also said the US hoped to conclude a trade deal with India. “We’re on the last inches of getting it done and it’s very positive.”

India-US ties have been rocky over the past year since Washington imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil, and engaging closely with India’s arch-rival Pakistan.

Rubio visited India last month seeking to repair ties, but the killing of three Indian sailors in attacks on commercial ships by the US Navy in the Gulf has roiled relations again.

Rubio added that both countries were looking forward to another meeting of the Quad grouping and that he hoped to return to India before the end of the year to help set up the presidential visit.

Furthermore, Rubio also hailed PM Modi’s leadership and said he was a “fan” of the Indian leader and credited him with elevating India’s standing on the global stage.

“Modi has made India a global power,” he said.

On energy cooperation, Rubio said India and the United States were working closely to increase supplies and noted that India is among the few countries with the capability to refine heavy crude.