United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US is working to arrange a visit by President Donald Trump to India early next year, as the two countries advance toward a bilateral trade deal. The Indian news agency IANS reported the statement on Saturday.
Rubio's Upcoming Travel and Preparations
Rubio told IANS he is likely to travel to India later this year to prepare for the president's visit. "We're working towards sometime early next year to have the president come," he said.
Modi-Trump Meeting at G7 Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump last week on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France. Trump described their conversation as "very good." India has been pressing the US for months for a Trump visit, potentially as part of a meeting involving Japan and Australia.
Strained Relations and Trade Disputes
India-US ties have been strained over the past year after Washington imposed high tariffs on Indian goods due to New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil and its engagement with India's rival Pakistan. Rubio visited India last month in a bid to repair ties, but relations were again strained after three Indian sailors were killed in attacks on commercial ships by the US Navy in the Gulf.
Trade Deal Progress
Rubio also expressed optimism about concluding a trade deal with India. "We're on the last inches of getting it done and it's very positive," he told IANS.
