New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States next month to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where plans are underway for a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump. The talks are aimed at resolving ongoing trade disputes that have strained India-US relations. Apart from Trump, Modi is also likely to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other global leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA, scheduled for the week beginning September 23. If confirmed, this will be the second meeting between Modi and Trump this year, following their February talks at the White House.

The potential meeting comes after Modi earlier declined Trump’s June invitation to Washington during the G7 Summit in Canada, reportedly wary of a possible parallel meeting between Trump and Pakistan’s Army chief. If the New York talks prove successful, Modi is expected to personally invite Trump to India for the QUAD summit in October, which will also be attended by leaders from Australia and Japan. While Modi and Trump developed a strong personal rapport during Trump’s first term, tensions have risen in recent years over trade and tariff issues.

At the heart of the dispute is the stalled India-US trade deal, hindered by India’s reluctance to open its agriculture and dairy markets to American products. Trump has added to the strain by imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods — 25% on August 7 and a further 25% scheduled for August 27 — citing both trade concerns and India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Negotiations are currently underway to reach an agreement before the second phase of tariffs comes into force.

The purchase of Russian oil remains another major flashpoint, with Washington accusing New Delhi of helping fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. India has pushed back against the criticism, accusing the US of double standards while highlighting continued American imports of uranium, chemicals, and fertilizers from Russia. The outcome of the planned Modi-Trump meeting could be influenced by Trump’s upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15, aimed at finding a resolution to the three-year-long conflict.