Trump’s India Visit Likely Early Next Year, Trade Deal ‘On The Last Inches’: Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the Donald Trump administration is working towards a visit by the US President to India in the early part of next year, while also signalling that a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries is nearing completion.

In an exclusive interview with news agency IANS at the White House, Rubio said he plans to travel to India before the end of this year to lay the groundwork for Trump’s visit.

“I look forward to returning myself before the end of the year and setting up a Presidential visit in the early parts of next year,” Rubio said.

When asked if Trump’s visit could take place next year, he replied, “We’re hoping. That’s what we’re working towards sometime early next year to have the President come.”

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Trump-Modi Relationship Is ‘Going Fantastic’

Rubio described India-US ties as being on a strong footing following the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.

“I think it’s going fantastic. I mean, it’s very strong,” he said. “We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister. The President did at the G7.”

He also emphasised the close personal rapport between the two leaders.

“India is such a close partner and ally of the United States, and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldn’t be closer, which I think is really important in diplomacy,” Rubio said.

Trade Deal ‘On The Last Inches’

Expressing optimism over ongoing trade negotiations, Rubio said the two countries are close to finalising a bilateral trade agreement.

“We’re hoping to finalise a trade deal. We’re on the last inches of getting it done, and it’s very positive,” he said.

Rubio added that Washington is looking forward to another meeting of the Quad leaders in the near future.

“We look forward to re-engaging again in another Quad meeting very soon,” he said.

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Expanding Strategic Partnership

President Trump last visited India in February 2020, when he attended the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad alongside Prime Minister Modi before holding bilateral talks in New Delhi.

Since returning to office, Trump and Modi have remained in regular contact as India and the United States deepen cooperation in areas including trade, defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific.

The two countries are also members of the Quad grouping, along with Japan and Australia, with the four partners expanding collaboration on regional security, critical technologies, resilient supply chains and maritime security. Both governments have repeatedly described the India-US partnership as one of the defining strategic relationships of the 21st century.

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