Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump may hold a meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month.
PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Malaysia for the 47th ASEAN Summit on October 26–27. Malaysia has also extended an invitation to President Trump to attend the summit.
If Trump confirms his participation, it will mark the first multilateral forum where the two leaders meet face-to-face since Washington imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
Relations between India and the United States have been strained after Trump imposed tariffs on Indian exports while simultaneously drawing closer to Pakistan. The rift deepened over New Delhi’s energy ties with Moscow, particularly its imports of Russian crude.
Trump has repeatedly criticised India for continuing to buy oil from Russia, warning that such purchases undermine international efforts to pressure Moscow into ending the war in Ukraine.
In recent months, Trump’s aides, including Peter Navarro, have intensified their rhetoric against New Delhi. Navarro described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as "Modi's war" and accused India of profiteering through its refineries, dubbing the country a "laundromat" for Russian oil.
Despite the sharp exchanges, there have been signs of a thaw. Both governments have acknowledged ongoing trade talks, and Trump has sought to soften his tone.
Days after extending birthday wishes to PM Modi, the US President told reporters he is "very close" to India and enjoys a strong personal rapport with the Indian Prime Minister.
Also Read : ‘Big insult’ to US if I don’t get Nobel: Trump
Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, Trump added that he has a "very good relationship" with Modi and praised the Indian leader’s response to his greetings.
When asked earlier last month if he wanted to reset ties with India, Trump described the relationship as "very special" and hailed PM Modi as a "great Prime Minister." PM Modi, in turn, emphasised that the India-US partnership remains "positive and forward-looking."
The outreach has also extended to the international stage. Trump recently reshared PM Modi’s message backing his new plan to end the Gaza conflict.
While the US President did not add his own comments, PM Modi’s post welcomed Trump’s 20-point blueprint for a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchange, phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and a transitional government under international supervision.
PM Modi described it as "a viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region."
Follow us
