In a significant reaffirmation of bilateral ties, US President Donald Trump has publicly described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great friend" and underscored India's role as a crucial strategic partner for America in the Indo-Pacific region. The comments, shared by the US Embassy in India on social media platform X, highlight the continued warmth in the personal rapport between the two leaders amidst ongoing diplomatic and trade engagements.
Strategic Praise and Shared Commitments
The US Embassy's post on Tuesday quoted President Trump, who acknowledged India as "an amazing country" and home to one of the world's oldest civilizations. He explicitly stated that the United States views India as an "important strategic partner" in the Indo-Pacific. This public endorsement comes on the heels of a telephonic conversation between the two leaders held last week.
During that call, which took place on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump reviewed the steady progress in India-US relations. They exchanged views on a range of regional and global developments, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation. The discussion was described by PM Modi as "warm and engaging," and he noted the emphasis on continued collaboration for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Trade, Terrorism, and Broader Dialogue
A central pillar of the recent high-level exchange was the ongoing effort to finalize a bilateral trade deal. The leaders discussed trade negotiations, including US requests for greater market access for American farm products like corn and soybean. Earlier, on September 9, PM Modi had expressed confidence that these negotiations would unlock the "limitless potential" of the India-US relationship.
Beyond economics, the dialogue covered substantial ground on security and strategic fronts. Cooperation on counter-terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of the Red Fort attack, was a key topic. The talks also spanned critical areas such as defence, energy, technology, civil nuclear collaboration, critical minerals, and initiatives under the TRUST framework.
According to a US embassy spokesperson, the discussions reaffirmed a joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to deepening collaboration in domains that support both US security interests and India's long-term strategic goals.
Context and Personal Diplomacy
The telephonic exchange marked the first conversation between the leaders since their call shortly after Diwali. It signals a mutual willingness to maintain engagement despite persisting disagreements, particularly on trade. The context of the call is also notable, as it followed PM Modi's recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and coincided with renewed international efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, building on a peace plan proposed by President Trump.
The personal bond between the leaders was further highlighted on September 17, when President Trump wished PM Modi on his 75th birthday, calling him a "tremendous" leader. In his response, PM Modi thanked Trump and expressed support for US initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while vowing to elevate the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights.
These series of interactions underscore a multifaceted relationship that blends strong personal diplomacy with a broad-based strategic agenda, focusing on trade, regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, and collaborative responses to global challenges.
