NEW YORK (Reuters) — U.S. President Donald Trump “no longer has plans” to visit India for this year’s Quad Summit, according to The New York Times. The decision reflects a sharp deterioration in his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources familiar with the president’s schedule told the outlet.
Earlier this spring, Trump had accepted Modi’s invitation to attend the Quad gathering in New Delhi. However, growing tensions between the two leaders — fueled by Trump’s repeated, unsubstantiated claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan, combined with escalating trade disputes — have led to a cooling in diplomatic relations.
Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports, including a 50% charge tied to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. Critics view this as punitive rather than a coherent trade strategy. A particularly contentious moment occurred during a June phone call when Trump sought Modi’s support for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, which New Delhi rejected.
India is currently preparing to host the Quad Summit with leaders from the U.S., Japan, and Australia expected to attend. However, Trump’s absence now casts uncertainty on the future trajectory of India-U.S. strategic cooperation.