“Modi a Good Friend, Trade Deal Coming Soon”: Trump Signals Optimism on India-US Trade Talks

US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that India and the United States will soon reach a trade agreement , while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend and highlighting the strong personal equation between the two leaders.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he was optimistic about the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries and believed an agreement was within reach.

“We will get to a deal because I like your prime minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine. We get along great, and we are going to make a deal,” Trump said when asked about the progress of bilateral trade discussions .

At the same time, the US President reiterated concerns that have long featured in Washington's trade discussions with New Delhi. Trump claimed that India had benefited from earlier US trade policies and had imposed high tariffs on American companies seeking access to the Indian market.

His remarks come days after a US delegation completed four days of negotiations in India on a proposed interim bilateral trade agreement . The discussions, which concluded on Thursday, are being viewed as another important step in efforts to strengthen economic ties between the world's largest and fifth-largest economies.

India's Commerce Ministry described the talks as constructive and pragmatic, saying both sides had reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement that would enhance trade and economic cooperation.

Trade continues to be one of the most important pillars of the India-US relationship , even as the two nations occasionally clash over tariffs, market access and regulatory issues . Despite these differences, bilateral trade has expanded significantly over the past decade, making the United States one of India's largest trading partners and a key source of investment and technology collaboration.

The latest progress in negotiations has raised expectations that both countries may be moving closer to resolving some of their longstanding trade concerns. A successful agreement could improve market access , encourage investment flows , and create fresh opportunities across sectors ranging from manufacturing and technology to agriculture and services.

Trump's latest comments underscore the importance of both political goodwill and economic cooperation in the evolving India-US partnership. With negotiations advancing and both governments signalling flexibility, a trade deal now appears closer than it has in years.