"We're hoping": Marco Rubio says Donald Trump may visit India early next year

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 agreementIn 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 visitThe remarks come as India and the United States continue to strengthen cooperation in trade defence technology and the IndoPacific while negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement enter their final stagesRubio hopes to visit India before yearendSpeaking about preparations for the proposed visit Rubio said he intends to travel to India later this yearI 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 saidWhen asked whether US President Trump was expected to visit India in 2027 Rubio replied Were hoping Thats what were working towards sometime early next year to have the President comeIf the visit takes place it would mark Trumps first trip to India since returning to officeTrade deal in final stages says RubioRubio expressed confidence about the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries indicating that both sides were close to reaching an agreementWere hoping to finalise a trade deal Were on the last inches of getting it done and its very positive he saidThe proposed agreement is expected to further strengthen economic ties between India and the United States by addressing trade barriers and expanding bilateral commerceBilateral ties remain strongRubio said IndiaUS relations remain robust following the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 SummitI think its going fantastic I mean its very strong he said We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister The President did at the G7He also described India as one of the United States closest strategic partners and highlighted the personal rapport between the two leadersIndia is such a close partner and ally of the United States and the relationship between the Prime Minister and the President couldnt be closer which I think is really important in diplomacyQuad engagement to continueRubio said Washington is also looking forward to the next meeting of Quad leadersWe look forward to reengaging again in another Quad meeting very soon he saidThe 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 IndoPacificTrump last visited India in 2020President 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 DelhiSince 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 securityIndia 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 QuadWith inputs from IANS