Trump likely to visit India early next year

• Rubio is likely to travel to India this ​year to prepare for the president's visit, ​he told IANS in an interview.


• "We're working towards ⁠sometime early next year to have the president come," ​Rubio said, according to IANS.


• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump last week on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of Seven industrial powers in France. Trump said that they ​had a "very good" conversation.


• India has been pressing the United ​States for months for a Trump visit, potentially as part of ‌a ⁠meeting including Japan and Australia.


• India-U.S. ties have been rocky over the past year since Washington imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian ​oil, and ​engaging closely with ⁠India's arch-rival Pakistan.


• Rubio visited India last month seeking to repair ties, but the killing ​of three Indian sailors in attacks on ​commercial ships ⁠by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf has roiled relations again.


• In the IANS interview, Rubio said the U.S. ⁠hoped ​to conclude a trade deal with India. "We're ​on the last inches of getting it done and it's very ​positive."

 -Reuters