PM Modi will be in America in September for UN General Assermbly :::: Million dollar question is whether Trump-Namo meeting take place ?

The Camel and the Hill - fable may come to the fore.

There is a famous Hindi saying "Ab aya uut pahar ke nichey

(Now the camel has come near a hill)".

If a Modi-Trump meeting materialises, it will be the second meeting of the two leaders in seven months after Indian Prime Minister visited the White House in February this year.

This is based on the belief that the camel never realised that there could be something else which is taller than it.

The animal realises it when it stands near a big hill. 

Between PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump - who shall be crowned the camel and who the hill remains to be seen in the times to come. More of it will depend on the individual interpretation of the onlookers.

The  Prime Minister  is likely to visit the United States in September and hence hints have been dropped that 'plans' are afoot to schedule a meeting with President Donald Trump.

The US President has not only imposed 50 per cent 'highest' tariffs on Indian products in the recent history; he has grown typically closer to Pakistan or tried to give such impression.

Thus, whether their meeting if materialises in September will be able to iron out issues on trade amid a downturn in ties remains to be seen.

Modi has recently understandably avoided a meeting lately when Trump perhaps was looking for a photo opportunity as he also hosted Pakistan's army chief. 

Apart from Trump, PM Modi will also likely hold high-level meetings with foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

The Ukraine President made a reference to the same after his tele chat with Modi on Monday,

The UNGA summit will be held in New York City and global leaders will start arriving during the week starting September 23.  

The prospect of a Modi-Trump meeting hinges on several factors.

First is making headway in the India-US bilateral trade deal, which has been struck over India's reluctance in opening up the agriculture and dairy sectors to the US.

Amid the trade deal stalemate, Trump compounded matters by imposing a 25% tariff on India and an additional 25% levy due to the continued purchase of Russian oil, bringing the total duty to 50%. 

Reports suggest the tele talk between the two leaders on June 17 (for 35 minutes) did not quite go well as Modi was candid and told the President that no country or an individual leader had any say in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May.

PM Modi and his government have also categorically rejected the US demand to stop buying Russian fuel.  

During Trump's first term, he and PM Modi formed a personal bond. However, that camaraderie has been rocked by Trump's compulsive bluster on tariffs in his second term despite the President calling Modi a "friend" several times.

India has countered the criticism of helping Moscow in war against Ukraine by oil purchase and in contrast accused the US and other western countries of hypocrisy and pointing out that American companies continue to buy uranium, chemicals and fertilizers from Russia.

India will now closely follow the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a resolution to end the conflict, which has dragged on for over three years.

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