India-US Trade Deal: Trump Signals Strong Commitment, Praises PM Modi

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about a “remarkable” trade deal with India, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a good man and a friend. The statement comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, with U.S. tariffs on Indian imports currently among the highest in the world at 50%.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump said, “I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He is a wonderful person and my friend. We will have a good deal.” His remarks signal a positive outlook for the negotiations, even as no formal agreement has yet been finalized.

Support from U.S. Ambassador
Recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gore has also reaffirmed confidence in the bilateral relationship and the ongoing trade talks. He described the friendship between Trump and Modi as genuine and expressed that both nations are fully committed to reaching an agreement. Gore indicated that President Trump could visit India within the next year or two, further strengthening diplomatic and trade ties.

According to Gore, the India-U.S. relationship is not just based on shared interests but also on high-level political engagement. He noted that even close partners sometimes disagree, but ultimately resolve differences through dialogue. He emphasized that while trade is critical, cooperation extends across security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and healthcare.

India Responds to Misstatements
Earlier this month, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that delays in the trade deal were due to Prime Minister Modi not contacting President Trump. India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed this claim, confirming that negotiations have been ongoing since February 13, 2025, with five rounds of official-level talks and multiple ministerial discussions. MEA spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal also noted that Modi and Trump spoke eight times in 2025, addressing numerous bilateral partnership issues.

With strong political goodwill, repeated high-level engagement, and ongoing negotiations, the India-U.S. trade deal appears poised to move closer to finalization, potentially marking a major milestone in bilateral economic relations.