NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday concluded his two-day visit to the US following his bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump.
The discussions between the leaders encompassed various aspects of US-India ties, including trade, energy, and defence cooperation. PM Modi was amongst the first few world leaders to visit the US after President Trump’s inauguration, receiving an invitation within three weeks of the new administration taking office.
“President Trump often talks about MAGA. In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in American context translates into MIGA. And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!” PM Modi said.
Here are some of the key quotes Trump said about PM Modi:
‘PM Modi is doing a great job in India’
The US President repeatedly expressed admiration for PM Modi’s leadership, stating that everyone acknowledges his work in India.
Ahead of the meet, Trump said, “He’s doing a great job in India; everybody talks about it.”
‘He is a great leader’
The warm chemistry between the two leaders was tangible as Trump said Modi is doing a great job in India.
“He is a great leader,” Trump said during the press briefing.
PM Modi responded to Trump’s compliments and said that he firmly believes that every person in India respects your sentiments.
“I thank you for your warm words and I firmly believe that every person in India respects your sentiments,” PM Modi said.
‘We missed you a lot’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump shared a hug as the latter welcomed the former at the White House on Thursday.
Trump and PM Modi warmly greeted each other and shook hands. While meeting PM Modi, Trump said, “We missed you, we missed you a lot.”
PM Modi responded to Trump saying, “It’s great to see you again.”
‘Mr Prime Minister, you are great’
Trump gifted a book to Prime Minister marking their “journey together”.
The book titled ‘Our Journey Together’ featured glimpses of ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump’ events, when the two leaders rallied for each other expressing support. The book, signed by Trump, said, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”
The ‘Howdy Modi’ rally took place at football stadium in Houston in 2019 which witnessed a crowd of over 50,000 Indian-Americans and addressed by both the leaders- Modi and Trump. Five months later in February, 2020, ‘Namaste Trump’ rally took place at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, with the two leaders highlighting the importance of India-US ties.
‘PM Modi has been a friend for a long time’
Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been his “great friend” for a long time and stressed that it is “great honour” to have him at the White House.
Trump said that he and PM Modi share a “wonderful relationship” and they kept the ties during the four-year period. He said that they will hold talks on oil, gas and trade. He also congratulated PM Modi on having done a great job.
Trump said that PM Modi is a ‘tougher negotiator’ than him.
Trump said PM Modi is a much “tougher negotiator” than him and stressed that there is not even a contest. He made these remarks while addressing a joint press briefing with PM Modi.
When asked who among them was a tougher negotiator today, Trump said, “He (PM Narendra Modi) is a much tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.”
Trump also said he shares a “special bond” with Modi and India but nevertheless warned that India won’t be spared from higher tariffs he’s begun imposing on US trade partners around the world. Trump, who had earlier criticized India as the “tariff king,” described the India’s import duties as “very unfair and strong.”
At the joint news conference with PM Modi, Trump said, “Whatever India charges, we charge them. So, frankly, it no longer matters to us that much what they charge.”