Trump Tells Modi “You are Great”
NEW DELHI, Oct 11: The US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met PM Narendra Modi on Saturday, October 11 carrying with him a framed combo of photos of Mr Modi and the US President Donald Trump along with his signed message that read, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great,”
also informed Mr Modi that despite the on-going diplomatic trains between the two countries over the tariff issues, Mr Trump consider the Indian prime minister “a great and personal friend.”
Mr Trump’s characteristically straightforward message, apparently handwritten with a mega marker pen that Trump often uses. Even amidst the tariff tussle, the two men have kept up what’s described as a personal equation though the two countries are at a two-decade ebb in their relations following imposition of massive trade tariffs by Trump.
Modi recently spoke to Trump to personally praise his peace plan for Gaza that has all but paused Israel’s military action in occupied Palestinian territories. The PM also posted messages of appreciation across social media platforms in multiple languages earlier.
But Trump has been apparently acerbic and seemingly cozy, changing by the week almost. Mid-September, he called and spoke to Modi when he turned 75, after which the PM said “thank you, my friend” on X, adding: “Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights.”
The same month, at the biggest global stage of diplomacy, at the United Nations General Assembly, Trump then called India and China the “primary funders” of Russia’s war in Ukraine. This was in keeping with the aggressive line the US has taken on the tariffs, saying half of the 50% levy is for India’s purchase of oil from Russia.
Just days before that, Modi had reacted positively on X to Trump’s comments saying Modi is “great” and “a friend.” The PM wrote on X: “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.”
After his meeting with Mr Modi, Mr Gor said he held a “great series of meetings” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and is optimistic about the days ahead, amid continuing strains in India-US ties over US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports. “I had an incredible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We discussed trade, critical minerals and defence,” the US envoy-designate said in his first comment after the senate confirmed his appointment as the next ambassador to India.
Gor, accompanied by US Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas, is on a six-day visit to Delhi. In a post on X, PM Modi welcomed the new US envoy to India. Both held a large framed photo in which PM Modi and Trump were seen in a joint address. “Glad to receive Mr Sergio Gor, Ambassador-designate of the US to India. I’m confident that his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi said.
Gor, 38, is the youngest US Ambassador to India, and is considered one of the closest aides of Trump. He was earlier the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, entrusted with vetting more than 4,000 posts in the new Trump administration. Gor would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.
(Manas Dasgupta)
