Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump at White House on Friday, where both leaders discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United States. The meeting came after Trump’s second term in office began.
PM Modi, expressing his pleasure at meeting Trump, said, “I am delighted to see you back in the White House. I congratulate you on behalf of 140 crore people of India.” He acknowledged the trust the people of India had placed in him, saying, “People of India gave me an opportunity to serve as PM for the third time. In this term, I have the opportunity to work with President Trump once again for the next 4 years, and it is a great pleasure.”
#WATCH | During meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, ” I am delighted to see you back in the White House I congratulate you on behalf of 140 crore people of India…people of India gave me an opportunity to serve as PM for… pic.twitter.com/PEXKB4A6VB
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
We will continue to advance India-US partnership: PM Modi
Looking back on their past collaborations, PM Modi emphasized, “I can say from my past experience of working with you in your first term, we will continue to advance India-US strategic partnership with the same bond, same trust and the same excitement.” He expressed his optimism for further progress during Trump’s second term, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two nations.
#WATCH | Washington, DC: In the meeting with US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “I appreciate that he (President Trump) always keeps the national interest (of the US) supreme. Like President Trump, it is a great fortune for me to keep the interests of… pic.twitter.com/gosXlK8R8x
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
During the meeting, Modi also praised Trump for prioritizing the national interest of the United States, saying, “I appreciate that he (President Trump) always keeps the national interest (of the US) supreme. Like President Trump, it is a great fortune for me to keep the interests of India supreme and work.”
PM Modi praises Trump’s contribution to India-US relationship
In an emotional moment, PM Modi recalled the memorable events of the past, including the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston and the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad. He shared, “I am happy that as soon as I entered this room, my friend reminded me of Ahmedabad and the cricket stadium where we held a big rally and the events that we did in Ahmedabad, Namaste Trump and Howdy Modi in Houston. The echo of those events can be heard even today in India and the world.”
PM Modi also praised Trump’s personal contribution to strengthening the India-US relationship. He said, “You have made immense personal contribution towards strengthening our relation, making them more comprehensive and attaining unprecedented heights in our relationship.”
#WATCH | Washington, DC | PM Narendra Modi welcomed at White House by US President Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/UuPv2W9Zhe
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
Looking ahead, PM Modi expressed confidence in accelerating the pace of collaboration between the two nations. “I firmly believe that, in your second term, we will work with even more speed. As I have promised the people of India that in my third term, we will work with thrice the speed, I firmly believe that with President Trump, during the next 4 years, during his second term, we will work with twice the speed than we did in his first term.”
He said, “President Donald Trump and ‘Make America Great Again’ are inseparable. When we talk about President Trump, one has to talk about making America great again.” Modi went on to express India’s ambition, saying, “In India, we have the resolve of 1.4 billion people that by the time India reaches its 100th year of independence, we will make our country a developed country by 2047, and this is getting new speed.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the unique connection between the US and India, saying, “The US is the world’s oldest democracy, and India is the world’s largest democracy. So, when India and the US come together, we make 1+1 = 11, not 2. This is the power of 11 that is going to work for the welfare of humanity.”
Expressing gratitude towards President Trump, Modi said, “I thank my friend President Donald Trump from the bottom of my heart, and we together resolve that we will march towards the progress and prosperity of our nations.”
We have great unity, says Donald Trump about his friendship with PM Modi
During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump emphasized the strong unity between their countries, saying, “More than anything else, we have great unity, we have great friendship – he & I and our countries. I think it’s only going to get closer. But it’s very important that we remain united as countries. We are friends and we are going to stay that way.”
Trump also responded to a question about trade relations with India, particularly concerning China, saying, “We are in a very great shape to beat anybody we want. But we are not looking to beat anybody, we are looking to do a really good job. We have done a fantastic job for the American people. We had a great 4 years and we were interrupted by a terrible administration. Now, we are putting it back together. I think it is going to end up being much stronger than it was before or even much stronger than it was before.”
Regarding India’s role in global peace efforts, especially concerning Ukraine, Trump said, “We are just getting along well. We are going to get along with all countries. We are going to do very well. We are going to be doing, I think, record business, record numbers. We are going to work with India also. We have several big trade deals to announce in the very near future.”
When asked about the Bangladesh issue, US President Donald Trump said, ” There is no role for our deep state. This is something that PM has been working on for a long time and has worked on for hundreds of years. I have been reading about it. I will leave Bangladesh to the PM.”
