Image Source: telegraphindia.com
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to the United States next month for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has not been finalised according to reports.
“It has not yet been decided if the PM would go to UNGA,” one source said, responding to reports claiming Modi would meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN session.
India Today, citing its own sources, reported that the trip is likely and that Modi may also hold talks with Trump. The Indian Express reported that preparations are underway for a late September visit, officially for the UNGA in New York, but with the main aim of resolving trade disputes and finding common ground on tariffs.
According to the Indian Express, India has reached out to the UN headquarters to secure a speaking slot for Modi on the morning of September 26. Trump is expected to speak at the UNGA on September 23.
Apart from a possible meeting with Trump, India Today reported that Modi is also likely to meet other world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Last year, despite initially reserving a speaking slot for Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar ended up representing India at the UNGA.
Modi last visited the US in February this year for a bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House. After that meeting, both leaders announced plans to negotiate the first phase of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025.
However, tensions have risen since then. On August 6, the White House announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total tariff to 50%. Trump said the move was in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. The extra tariffs will take effect on August 27.
India, unfazed by the announcement, dismissed the measure as a “reckless tariff tirade.”
