 "During Trump’s first term, he and PM Modi developed a strong camaraderie that continues to this day. Reuters/File Photo")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in the United States on Wednesday for a two-day visit to meet President Donald Trump.
This is his first bilateral visit to the US since the Republican leader began his second term in the White House on January 20.
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During Trump’s first term, he and PM Modi developed a strong camaraderie that continues to this day. In June 2017, Modi became the first foreign leader to have dinner with Trump at the White House.
Ahead of his departure, Modi described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the successes of bilateral cooperation during Trump’s first term, referring to him as a “friend.”
Here’s a closer look at their ‘friendship’ and what they have said about each other over the years:
‘Modi will do what’s right’: Donald Trump
During their first phone conversation after Trump was sworn in for a second term, he and PM Modi discussed strengthening bilateral ties and key issues such as security in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Europe.
Speaking to reporters later, Trump said, “I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House, over next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe US President also mentioned that they discussed immigration and expressed confidence that Modi “will do what’s right” regarding the return of Indian immigrants who entered the US illegally.
‘My friend Trump’: PM Modi
Following Trump’s re-election , PM Modi congratulated him on X, writing, “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.”
“Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity," he added.
‘The nicest. Total killer’: Trump’s praise for Modi
In October last year, a month before the US elections, Trump spoke highly of PM Modi during a podcast with comedian Andrew Schultz, whose show has millions of subscribers.
“He’s great. He’s a friend of mine,” Trump said.
“Before him, they were replacing them every year, (very) unstable. He came over. He’s a friend of mine. But on the outside, he looks like he’s your father. He’s the nicest, but he’s a total killer.”
Trump also recalled sharing the stage with PM Modi at the Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2019, describing the packed stadium’s cheers as “beautiful.” He then said Modi’s conduct would shift when India faced a threat. “When someone was threatening India, he would totally change…”
Turning to Indian-American comedian Akaash Singh, Trump stated, “I said, ‘Let me help, I am very good with those people.’ He was talking about a certain country; you can probably guess the country.”
Trump then quoted Modi’s firm stance. “He said, ‘I will do it, I will do anything necessary, we have defeated them for hundreds of years.’”
Reacting to Modi’s response, Trump added, “I said, whoa, what happened there? They are all smart, and he’s a very good person,” referring to Modi and Indians in general.
‘Deep concern’: Modi after assassination attempt on Trump
Expressing his concern over the attack on Trump after he was shot at during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Modi said that violence has no place in politics or democracies and wished him a speedy recovery.
“Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people," PM Modi said in a post on X.
‘Good friend, Modi’: Trump
Emphasising the need to protect Hindu Americans from anti-religious agendas, Trump promised to strengthen US-India ties under his “good friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November last year before the US elections.
This message came as he wished Hindus across the world on the occasion of Diwali but his message focused explicitly on the atrocities faced by Bangladesh’s Hindus.
“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump said.
“We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," he added.
‘Modi, a fantastic man’: Trump
During a town hall in Flint, Michigan, in September, Trump criticised India as a big “charger” over its import tariffs in trade matters. However, he also praised Prime Minister Modi, referring to him as a “fantastic man.”
“Perhaps the most important element of my plan to make America extraordinarily wealthy again is reciprocity. It’s a word that’s very important in my plan because we generally don’t charge tariffs. I started that process, it was so great, with the vans and the small trucks, etc. We really don’t charge. China will charge us a 200 per cent tariff. Brazil is a big charger. The biggest charger of all is India," Trump said.
“India is a very big charger. We have a great relationship with India. I did. And especially the leader, Modi. He’s a great leader. Great man. Really is a great man. He’s brought it together. He’s done a great job. But they probably charge as much," he had said.
‘America’s most loyal friend’: Trump
At the high-profile ‘Howdy, Modi!’ rally in Texas in 2019, Trump hosted PM Modi in what became one of the largest-ever public receptions for a foreign leader in the US.
The event, held at Houston’s NRG Stadium, saw over 50,000 Indian-Americans gather under the theme “Howdy, Modi! Shared Dreams, Bright Futures.”
“I’m so thrilled to be here in Texas with one of America’s greatest, most devoted and most loyal friends, Prime Minister Modi of India," Trump told the crowd.
‘India-US share closer relationship’: Modi
In 2020, Modi welcomed Donald Trump to Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium , where the two leaders addressed a massive crowd. Trump praised Modi and India’s achievements during the event.
“I think today we can see history being repeated. Five months back, I started my US trip with ‘Howdy Modi’, and today my friend, President Donald Trump, is starting his India trip with ‘Namaste Trump’ here in Ahmedabad,” Modi said.
“India-US relations are not just a partnership. It is a far greater and closer relationship. One is the ‘land of the free’, the other believes the world is one family. One feels proud of the ‘Statue of Liberty’, the other feels proud of the ‘Statue of Unity’. President Trump is here with his family.”
Speaking at the event, Trump said, “You have done a great honour to our country. We will remember you forever. From this day onwards, India will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
With inputs from agencies