27 June,2026 02:30 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondent
Donald Trump and Narendra Modi
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, signalling continued momentum in bilateral ties as New Delhi and Washington move closer to finalising a trade agreement.
In an exclusive interview with IANS at the White House, Rubio said he also plans to visit India before the end of this year to help prepare for the proposed presidential visit.
The remarks come as India and the United States continue to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, technology and the Indo-Pacific, while negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement enter their final stages.
Speaking about preparations for the proposed visit, Rubio said he intends to travel to India later this year.
"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 whether US President Trump was expected to visit India in 2027, Rubio replied, "We're hoping. That's what we're working towards sometime early next year to have the President come."
If the visit takes place, it would mark Trump's first trip to India since returning to office.
Rubio expressed confidence about the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, indicating that both sides were close to reaching an 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.
The proposed agreement is expected to further strengthen economic ties between India and the United States by addressing trade barriers and expanding bilateral commerce.
Rubio said India-US relations remain robust 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 described India as one of the United States' closest strategic partners and highlighted the 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 Washington is also looking forward to the next meeting of Quad leaders.
"We look forward to re-engaging again in another Quad meeting very soon," he said.
The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia, has expanded cooperation in recent years across regional security, maritime security, critical technologies, resilient supply chains and other strategic areas in the Indo-Pacific.
President Trump last visited India in February 2020, when he attended the "Namaste Trump" event in Ahmedabad alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi before holding bilateral discussions in New Delhi.
Since returning to office, Trump and Modi have maintained regular engagement as both governments seek to deepen cooperation in areas including trade, defence, emerging technologies and regional security.
India and the United States have consistently described their partnership as one of the defining strategic relationships of the 21st century, with both countries continuing to strengthen collaboration through bilateral initiatives and multilateral forums such as the Quad.
(With inputs from IANS)
