PM Modi Likely to Visit US for G20 Summit in December, Expected to Meet Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the United States in December to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Florida, according to people familiar with preparations.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host the summit at the Trump National Doral Miami resort on December 14 and 15.

If Modi travels to Florida, he is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the summit. The Indian government has not yet formally announced the Prime Minister’s visit, with such announcements generally made closer to the event.

A potential Modi-Trump meeting comes as India and the US continue discussions on trade and several other areas of bilateral cooperation. The talks have gained significance amid Washington’s threat of imposing a 100 per cent tariff on Indian imports over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently told India Today TV that Modi would be among the leaders Trump is expected to prioritise for meetings during the G20. His comments also indicated the possibility of engagements beyond the main summit.

Modi and Trump last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, in June. During their meeting, the two leaders reviewed cooperation between India and the US in areas including trade, defence, energy and technology. They also discussed negotiations on an interim bilateral trade agreement.

Trade, defence, technology, critical minerals and energy have remained key areas of India-US engagement in recent months. The two countries are also working towards a broader trade agreement. US officials have put current bilateral trade at around $240 billion, with both sides targeting $500 billion in trade in the coming years.

The December summit could also provide an opportunity for a meeting of Quad leaders from India, the US, Japan and Australia. Discussions are underway for a possible Quad summit alongside the G20, with cooperation on artificial intelligence, critical minerals, emerging technologies and disaster relief among the areas of focus.

Following a possible visit to Florida, Modi is also expected to travel to Canada for a bilateral engagement, diplomatic sources said.

A meeting between Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney could take place around the G20 Summit, Reuters reported, citing Canada’s trade minister. India and Canada are currently negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).