UNGA: PM Modi’s Upcoming US Visit to Reset Indo-US Ties

UNGA: Preparations are intensifying for the Narendra Modi US Visit 2025, scheduled tentatively for the last week of September. While the official reason for the trip is to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the spotlight will be on high-stakes diplomacy and a possible breakthrough in Indo-US trade relations.

Sources in New Delhi confirm that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s team is working on finalizing both the UN itinerary and a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. The goal is to bridge gaps over contentious trade issues, address steep tariffs, and possibly announce a landmark trade deal.

UNGA: Two Diplomatic Fronts: War and Trade

For the visit to bear fruit, progress is needed on two critical fronts: the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Indo-US trade agreement.

On the geopolitical side, India is watching closely as Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet on August 15 to discuss potential steps toward ending the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Modi has personally spoken with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days, conveying India’s interest in a resolution that supports stability and economic recovery. Zelenskyy, in fact, hinted that he and Modi could meet in person during the UNGA in September.

Trade Talks Under Pressure

On the trade side, negotiations have hit a snag. The US had slapped a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods — half attributed to high Indian tariffs and the other half as a penalty for purchasing Russian oil.

Indian and American trade teams had nearly finalized a deal earlier this year, but President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the agreed terms, prompting a fresh round of discussions. The objective now is crystal clear: push forward with Mission 500, an ambitious plan to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

This mission was set in motion during Modi’s White House visit in February 2025, where both leaders agreed to negotiate a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall. The proposed BTA aims to improve market access, lower tariffs, cut non-tariff barriers, and deepen supply chain integration across goods and services. But with time running short, negotiators must iron out differences before Modi’s September trip.

UNGA Speech and Bilateral Meetings

The first logistical step has been securing a speaking slot for the Prime Minister at the UNGA, currently set for the morning of September 26. President Trump is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 23.

The UNGA allows each country’s leader a 15-minute address, and India has already initiated the accreditation process, which must be completed by the end of August. Beyond the UN podium, Modi’s visit could serve as a diplomatic stage for bilateral talks with Trump, Zelenskyy, and other world leaders.

Repairing Ties Amid Recent Frictions

Relations between India and the US have been tested in recent months. Trump’s controversial claim of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan — swiftly denied by New Delhi — was followed by sharp criticism over trade tariffs.

However, both nations remain strategic partners with shared geopolitical interests, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Modi’s trip is expected to pave the way for Trump’s planned visit to India in October for the Quad leaders’ summit, where both sides aim to showcase unity on trade, defense, and global security.