New Delhi: US President Donald Trump made a surprise phone call during an American Independence Day event at the US Embassy in Delhi on Sunday, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underlining the strength of India US relations.
The event was hosted at Roosevelt House by US Ambassador Sergio Gor to mark America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations. Several senior Indian leaders and officials attended the programme, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Vikram Misri and Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
During the event, Trump called Ambassador Gor and his message was displayed live on a large screen at the venue. In his remarks, the US President described Prime Minister Modi as a close friend and said he was a strong admirer of the Indian leader.
“I love India. PM Modi is a fantastic leader and a good friend of mine. I am a big fan of him,” Trump said during the call, according to the report. He also said that India and the United States were closer than ever before in the present phase of their relationship.
Trump further assured that India could fully rely on him and the United States for any kind of assistance. He said that if India ever needed help, it knew where to make the call.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor also referred to the personal equation between Trump and Modi. He said that whenever he speaks to Trump, the President first asks about Prime Minister Modi. According to Gor, the relationship between the two leaders is not merely formal, but strong and personal.
The remarks come at a time when India US ties remain a key part of global diplomatic discussions, particularly in areas such as strategic cooperation, trade, technology and regional security. While the event was ceremonial in nature, Trump’s comments gave it a clear diplomatic tone.
The public praise for Modi also reflected the continuing political importance of personal diplomacy in India US relations. With senior leaders from both sides present, the message signalled warmth between the two democracies, even as both countries continue to navigate complex global challenges.