After 2025 QUAD snub and recent thaw in ties, Trump mulls India visit

Former US President Donald Trump has indicated his interest in visiting India, stating he would "like to visit the country soon" during a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. While no specific date was given, the expressed desire comes as both nations work to mend relations following a period of significant strain. Trump's last visit to India was in 2020, prior to his second term which began in 2025. A planned visit for the QUAD Summit in New Delhi in August 2025 was notably cancelled. This cancellation stemmed from escalating tensions, particularly after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods. Further complicating matters was Trump's assertion that he was solely responsible for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025. India's measured response, which did not explicitly acknowledge a third-party role, reportedly displeased Trump, contributing to the cancellation of his QUAD summit attendance. The relationship further soured with Trump's "Liberation Day" exercise announcement in April 2025, which included a 25% levy on India, dubbed the "maharaja of tariffs." An additional 25% tariff was later imposed due to India's purchase of Russian oil, with accusations of "fueling Putin's war in Ukraine." These trade disputes, coupled with India's alignment with Brazil and China in the BRICS bloc, created a challenging diplomatic landscape. Despite these past frictions, the recent interim framework for bilateral trade announced in February 2026 suggests a potential thawing of relations.

“

India would have a great friend in the White House.