Sources confirm Donald Trump is set to touch down in India next month, a trip brokered quietly by UK intermediaries seeking to revive stalled trade talks between New Delhi and Washington. The visit, expected to be announced within days, signals a frosty US-India relationship beginning to thaw, with London positioning itself as the indispensable middleman.
Uncovered documents suggest British diplomats have spent months shuttling between the White House and the Indian Prime Minister’s office, leveraging post-Brexit trade deals to grease the wheels. The timing is no accident: India’s recent crackdown on Chinese imports and the US push for alternatives to Beijing have created a rare alignment of interests.
But the real story is the money. Corporate lobbyists with ties to both Trump and Modi are circling. Sources say UK-based financial firms stand to gain billions in advisory fees if a partial trade deal is signed covering pharmaceuticals, technology, and defence. London’s square mile is already buzzing with rumours of backroom agreements.
Critics warn this is a masterclass in realpolitik. The UK, desperate for post-Brexit trade wins, is offering itself as a bridge between two unpredictable leaders. Trump’s tariffs on Indian steel remain a sticking point, and Modi’s agricultural subsidies are a non-starter for US farmers. But the optics matter: a photo-op of Trump and Modi shaking hands on Indian soil boosts both leaders domestically.
Behind the scenes, however, the deal is fragile. Sources inside the Indian commerce ministry reveal that the UK’s mediation has been ‘clunky’ and ‘overhyped’. One official described the British role as ‘window dressing for a bilateral relationship that was already warming up’. The real push came from corporate giants like Lockheed Martin and Reliance, who stand to benefit from defence contracts.
For London, the gamble is clear. If the visit yields a framework agreement, the UK can claim a diplomatic victory and secure access to two of the world’s largest economies. If it falters, Britain risks being seen as a diminished power, unable to influence even a handshake.
The countdown to the visit has begun. Expect grand gestures, hidden agendas, and a trail of corporate records that will be dug up months later. In this game, everyone has a price. Follow the money.
