The Trump administration is working to arrange a visit by President Donald Trump to India early next year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, while indicating that a bilateral trade agreement between Washington and New Delhi is in its final stages. Rubio told the Indian news agency IANS that he expects to travel to India before the end of this year to lay the groundwork for the presidential trip, describing the state of negotiations as “on the last inches of getting it done.” The proposed visit would be Trump’s first to India since February 2020 and his first since returning to the White House, marking a potential reset after a period of trade and geopolitical friction.

Viewed from Washington, the visit and the trade deal are part of a broader effort to strengthen a strategic partnership that US officials describe as one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Rubio emphasised the close personal rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling India a “close partner and ally.” US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor separately noted that the two leaders share a hands-on, results-driven style that serves as an anchor for the relationship. American negotiators are pressing India to reduce trade barriers and increase purchases of US goods in sectors including energy, technology, agriculture and defence, while also seeking to expand energy cooperation, with Washington offering to help boost global crude supplies, including from Venezuela, whose heavy crude Indian refineries are equipped to process.

Indian officials have framed the trade agreement as contingent on securing a competitive tariff advantage over regional rivals such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the deal is “very close” but cannot enter into force until that condition is met. The negotiations follow a year in which Washington imposed steep tariffs on Indian imports, partly in response to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil, and in which three Indian sailors were killed in US Navy attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Russian media reports have highlighted that these tensions prompted India to seek closer ties with China and Russia, stepping back from the strategic partnership built by previous US administrations. Arab-language outlets note that India has been pressing for a Trump visit for months, possibly in conjunction with a Quad meeting including Japan and Australia.

The Quad grouping, which also includes Japan and Australia, remains a central framework for cooperation on regional security, critical technologies and maritime security. Rubio said Washington looks forward to another Quad leaders’ meeting soon. The trade deal and the presidential visit are now the immediate diplomatic priorities, with Rubio’s preparatory trip to India expected before the end of the year and the finalisation of the trade text anticipated in the coming weeks or months, according to US and Indian officials.