Efforts are ongoing to arrange Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to the United States in the last week of September. His visit will align with the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, which opens on 9 September 2025. This will provide an opportunity to discuss important diplomatic and trade issues with the US administration.
Beyond attending the UN General Assembly, Modi is expected to meet US President Donald Trump. The key agenda is likely to be to resolve ongoing trade disputes, especially tariffs and work towards a common ground on bilateral trade agreements between the two countries, reported Indian Express.
Two major challenges are also at the centre of ongoing talks, resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and finalising the trade deal between India and the US. India is under pressure because the US has imposed a 50% tariff, partly as a penalty for India’s purchase of Russian oil. This makes finding a solution on both issues urgent and complicated.
PM Modi has recently spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India seeks a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which is in its strategic interest and key to improving ties with the US.
Indian and American negotiators were close to finalising a trade deal, but President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with India’s stance, including concerns over import tariffs and purchases of Russian oil. New terms are now being discussed as both sides work towards ‘Mission 500’ — a plan to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
The decision to pursue a fair-trade deal aimed at deepening bilateral trade in goods and services was made in February by Modi and Trump. Their goal is to improve market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthen supply chains by 2030.
Negotiators are aiming to resolve outstanding issues by late September. Modi’s visit is expected to finalise the Bilateral Trade Agreement( BTA) details, addressing tariff barriers and supply chain integration to strengthen India-US economic ties.
India has requested the United Nations headquarters for a speaking slot for Prime Minister Modi at the UN General Assembly on the morning of September 26. US President Trump is scheduled to speak earlier on September 23. Modi’s visit will also provide opportunities for bilateral meetings with Trump and other world leaders.
Relations have been strained by tariff hikes and past misunderstandings. Modi’s US visit aims to smooth differences and pave the way for Trump’s expected visit to India in October for the Quad summit, reinforcing strategic partnership.
