Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he plans to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s upcoming visit to the United States for official events next week. Speaking at a campaign event in Michigan, Trump criticized India as a “very big abuser” in trade but praised Modi as “fantastic.”
“He happens to be coming to meet me next week,” Trump told the crowd, though he did not provide further details on the planned meeting.
Modi is set to travel this weekend to Wilmington, Delaware, President Joe Biden’s hometown, for the Quad Leaders’ summit. The summit will bring together Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Modi to discuss key regional issues. The Quad, a strategic grouping formed in 2007, has gained prominence under Biden’s administration, particularly as part of efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
This upcoming summit is expected to be Biden’s final with the Quad as U.S. president, as he has decided not to seek re-election. Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the Democratic ticket for the 2024 presidential race.
Following the Quad summit, Modi is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will meet with members of the Indian diaspora.
While no longer in office, Trump has continued to engage with international leaders. In July, he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally, at his residence in Florida. Orban, like many of Trump’s global allies, hopes to see the former president return to the White House in the upcoming election.
Trump’s remarks about India’s trade practices reflect ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, but his praise for Modi underscores the strong personal rapport the two leaders have maintained.
