In a significant gesture of diplomatic warmth and personal camaraderie, United States President Donald Trump reached out via a phone call to an audience gathered at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The occasion was a high-profile reception hosted by the American Embassy to commemorate the 250th Independence Day of the United States. During this interaction, President Trump extended his personal support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that the bilateral relationship between India and the United States has reached an unprecedented level of strength. He remarked that the ties between the two nations were never as strong as they're today, further solidifying the strategic partnership that has been evolving over the years.
Trump Calls PM Modi a Close Friend
Addressing hundreds of guests through a speakerphone at the reception, President Trump didn't hold back in his admiration for the Indian leader. He stated, "I like the Prime Minister very much. Modi is great. " His words resonated with the attendees as he extended greetings from the United States to the gathering in New Delhi. Trump expressed his deep affection for the people of India and the leadership, saying, "I just want to say, you're great, while " This statement underscores a high level of mutual trust and a commitment to standing by India in times of need.
Commitment to Support and Economic Strength
President Trump also reiterated his unwavering support for India, indicating that the United States is ready to assist whenever required, while he mentioned, "If they ever need help, they know where to call. " Highlighting the current state of the American economy, Trump noted that the US is achieving record-breaking milestones. He pointed out that the country currently boasts a record economy and a record stock market. He further added that whatever India aspires to achieve, the United States possesses the resources and the will to support those goals, declaring himself a "huge fan" of Prime Minister Modi.
Praise for Secretary of State Marco Rubio
During the call, the US President also took the opportunity to praise Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was present at the event in New Delhi. Trump described Rubio as one of the greatest, predicting that he would be remembered as the greatest Secretary of State in the history of the United States. " This call coincided with Rubio's official visit to India, which includes high-level meetings with Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Strategic Meetings and Regional Cooperation
The diplomatic engagement is further highlighted by Marco Rubio's participation in the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting scheduled for May 26 at Hyderabad House. According to statements regarding the Prime Minister's interactions, Modi and Rubio discussed a wide range of topics during their meeting on Saturday. These discussions covered critical areas such as defense cooperation, strategic technology, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education, and people-to-people ties. Rubio also shared the US perspective on developments in West Asia, with the US State Department emphasizing that Washington won't allow Iran to hold the global energy market hostage. It was noted that US energy exports could play a vital role in helping India diversify its energy supply.
A Decade-Old Relationship
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who attended the reception, highlighted the importance of the personal bond between Trump and Modi for the overall bilateral relationship. Gor shared that every time he speaks with the President, the first question Trump asks is about the well-being of his friend, the Prime Minister. Gor emphasized that this relationship isn't a recent development but has been nurtured for nearly a decade, serving as a cornerstone for the growing cooperation between the two largest democracies in the world.