President Trump stated on Friday that the relationship between the United States and India is special, emphasizing that he will always maintain a friendship with Indian Prime Minister Modi. In response, Modi emphasized on Saturday that India and the US have a very positive strategic partnership.
“Deeply grateful and fully endorse President Trump’s view and positive assessment of our relationship,” Modi said, adding that India and the US have a “very positive, forward-looking, and comprehensive global strategic partnership.”
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, “It is evident that Prime Minister Modi attaches great importance to our partnership with the United States.”
“He (Modi) has always had a very good personal relationship with President Trump… We continue to stay in touch with the United States,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters at the White House that despite his displeasure with India buying oil from Russia, he will always maintain a friendship with Modi.
“I will always be friends with Prime Minister Modi. He is a great Prime Minister. I will always be his friend, but I don’t like what he’s doing right now. But India’s relationship with the United States is very special. There is nothing to worry about. We just have occasional disagreements,” the President said.
Due to India purchasing large amounts of oil from Russia, Trump raised tariffs on India to 50%, which has led to tension between the two countries. India condemned the US move to increase tariffs as “unfair, unjust, and unreasonable.”
Despite the strained relationship, Trump said on Friday that trade negotiations between the US and India are “progressing well.”
A few days ago, Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit held in Tianjin. This was his first visit to China in 7 years, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both sides pledged to work towards resolving differences.
Unlike Russian President Putin, who also attended the SCO Summit, Modi did not go to Beijing for the CCP’s military parade after the Tianjin summit.
Trump played down his previous remarks about the US losing India to Communist China on Friday. He said, “I don’t think we lost India. It’s very disappointing that India is buying so much oil from Russia. I’ve let them know that. We imposed very high tariffs on India – 50%, very high tariffs. You know, I get along very well with Prime Minister Modi. A few months ago, he was here and we went to the Rose Garden together and had a press conference.”