Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the United States next month for the UN General Assembly in New York, with a possible meeting planned with US President Donald Trump, according to a report in the Indian Express. While India’s foreign ministry has not confirmed the trip, an official said the list of speakers for the September 26 General Debate is still provisional, and no final decision has been made on Modi’s attendance.
If the visit goes ahead, a key focus will be on mending strained trade relations. Talks between New Delhi and Washington collapsed after five rounds over disagreements on opening India’s farm and dairy sectors and halting Russian oil imports. The breakdown came before Trump’s recent announcement of an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total duties to 50% — among the highest imposed on any US trading partner.
The potential meeting follows remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said India had been “a bit recalcitrant” in trade negotiations but expressed hope that substantial terms could be agreed by the end of October. For Modi, the UN trip would offer both a high-profile diplomatic platform and an opportunity to address the economic friction now overshadowing US-India ties.