Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday (September 19, 2024) briefed the media on Prime Minister Nardendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the U.S.
Former US President Donald Trump mentioned that he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week, but India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet confirmed this meeting. PM Modi will visit the US from September 21 to 23. Speaking at his first public event after an apparent assassination attempt, Trump said on Tuesday, “Modi is coming to meet me next week. He’s a great guy, really fantastic. A lot of world leaders are great.” Trump also mentioned again that he’s concerned about India’s high taxes on imports.
Trump shared this during a town hall in Flint, Michigan, while talking about trade and tariffs. He said, “India is a big abuser when it comes to trade. They are very smart, not at all behind. They’re at the top of their game and use it to their advantage against us. India is tough, Brazil is tough, and China is the toughest. But we were handling China with tariffs.”
Trump explained his view on fair trade, saying, “If another country charges us anything—whether it’s 10 cents, 2 dollars, or even 100% or 250% tariffs—we’ll charge them the same in return. This will either lead to those charges disappearing and bringing back free trade, or we’ll end up making a lot of money from it.”
Trump, who is in a tight race for the presidency against Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, didn’t share any more details about his meeting with PM Modi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi did not comment on Trump’s statements when asked for a response.
PM Modi’s visit to the US will begin with the Quad Leaders’ Summit, which will be hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. The summit will also include Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On September 22, Modi will speak at a community event in Long Island, and the next day, on September 23, he will give a speech at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
PM Modi’s visit to the US takes place less than two months before the highly anticipated US presidential election, where former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, are competing for the White House. With the general election set for November 5, the political atmosphere in the US is heating up. Modi’s visit during this crucial time adds another layer of significance, as both countries navigate important global issues like trade, security, and international cooperation, making his meetings with key leaders even more impactful.
