Will PM Modi meet Trump amid tariff dispute?, Know when and where the meeting can take place

The annual summit of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is going to be held in New York in September 2025. This platform will once again gather global leaders, where issues like international policy, security, environment and global trade will be discussed. This time Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present from India, and according to sources, an important meeting with President Donald Trump can take place during his US visit.

If this meeting takes place, it will be the second face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in seven months. Earlier in February 2025, Prime Minister Modi visited the White House in Washington DC. While personal warmth was seen between the two leaders in the first term, tariff and trade differences have soured this relationship in Trump's second term.

Tariff dispute is the main reason for tension in relations

Negotiations have been going on for the past several months between India and the US regarding a bilateral trade agreement, but India's disagreement on issues related to agriculture and dairy sector remains the biggest hurdle in this agreement. Amidst these differences, the Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on many Indian products. Apart from this, an additional 25% duty has also been added on India's continued purchase of oil from Russia, taking the total effective tariff to 50%.

The remaining tariffs are to be implemented from August 27

Half of these tariffs have come into effect from August 7, while the rest are to be implemented from August 27. Before this deadline, both the countries are involved in high-level meetings to reach an agreement. However, this dispute is no longer limited to trade, but it has become a symbol of the conflict between America's economic security and India's strategic trade interests.

America's displeasure over oil purchase from Russia

India's continued purchase of crude oil from Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war remains a cause of concern for the US. The White House believes that this gives Russia the financial resources it needs to continue the war. President Trump has criticized India on this issue and has said that it should reduce oil imports from Russia so that economic pressure can have an impact on Russia and the war can be ended.

India responded by calling America hypocritical and saying that American companies are also buying uranium, fertilizers and chemicals from Russia. This attitude of India is further deepening the diplomatic tension between the two countries.