NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the United States next month and hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump during the United Nations General Assembly meeting, which is to take place in New York City in September. PM Modi‘s meeting with Trump is announced at a time when Washington has bumped up tariffs on New Delhi to 50 per cent for purchasing Russian crude oil, which the US President claimed has made Moscow relentless in pursuing its objectives in its war with Ukraine. Trump not only doubled down on tariffs but also announced a penalty on India for purchasing Russian military equipment.On August 6, Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on most imports from India for buying Russian oil. Coming on top of the 25 per cent tariff he already announced, the additional tariff is set to bring the taxes on goods and products India exports to the US to 50 per cent if fully implemented.The executive order signed by Trump, citing threats to US national security because of India’s purchase of oil from Russia, goes into effect on August 27, providing a three-week window of opportunity to negotiate an agreement.India responded strongly to Trump’s move to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff. The ministry of external affairs in a statement called the US move unfortunate and reiterated its stand that India would continue to protect its national interests. In a strongly worded statement, the MEA said, “..it is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.”However, amid the tariff row, a US trade delegation is expected to visit India before August 25.Meanwhile, Trump will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to discuss an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska.” “Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added. Putin’s trip to Alaska will be his first to the US in a decade. The last time Russia’s leader was in the country for a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2015 with then-President Barack Obama. The announcement came just hours after Trump told reporters he planned to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine with Putin. The President expressed cautious optimism, saying he believes “we have a shot” at brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.The 80th session of the UNGA will open on September 9. The high-level General Debate will run from September 23-29, with Brazil as the traditional first speaker of the session, followed by the US. US President Donald Trump will address world leaders from the iconic UNGA podium on September 23, his first address to the UN session in his second term in the White House.