Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. (PTI file photo)

US President Donald Trump on Friday lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as “a great man” and “a friend,” while indicating that he could visit India next year as part of efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two nations.

Speaking to reporters at the White House after unveiling a new plan to reduce the prices of weight loss drugs, Trump said his conversations with PM Modi were progressing positively.

“He (PM Modi) largely stopped buying from Russia,” Trump claimed, adding, “And he is a friend of mine, and we speak.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great man. He is a friend of mine, and we speak, and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out, I will go… Prime Minister Modi is a great man, and I will be going,” Trump remarked.

When asked directly whether he planned to travel to India next year, the President replied, “It could be, yes.”

Trump’s comments come at a time when trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi are ongoing. The discussions follow the United States’ decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff, including an additional 25 per cent duty, on India’s continued import of Russian crude oil.

Earlier this week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to deepening India-US relations.

“The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India-US relationship,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump had recently spoken with PM Modi while celebrating Diwali at the White House alongside senior Indian-American officials.

Trump has in recent weeks highlighted India’s efforts to reduce its dependency on Russian oil. During his Asia tour, he lauded New Delhi’s stance on the issue, saying PM Modi had assured him that India would “curb or halt” crude imports from Moscow.

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), however, reiterated that India’s energy sourcing decisions are guided by national interests.

Responding to Trump’s remarks earlier this month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”

Jaiswal further emphasised that India’s approach aims to ensure stable prices and secure energy supplies through diversified sourcing.

“Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” he added.