New Delhi, February 22, 2025 – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump as highly successful, attributing their strong rapport to their shared nationalist ideology.
Speaking at an event, Jaishankar highlighted that both leaders respect each other’s nationalist approach, which contributed to the positive outcome of the discussions.
Modi and Trump: A Strong Connection
Jaishankar noted that PM Modi was one of the first world leaders invited by Trump after he began his second term as US President. He pointed out that Trump acknowledges Modi’s commitment to India, just as Modi respects Trump’s America-first approach.
“PM Modi is a strong nationalist and radiates that. Trump is an American nationalist. The nationalist kind respect each other. Trump accepts that Modi is in it for India, and Modi accepts that Trump is in it for America,” Jaishankar said.
He also observed that Modi and Trump share good chemistry, unlike some other world leaders who have had difficult relations with Trump in the past.
Praise and Strategic Talks
During their meeting at the White House, both leaders praised each other and discussed key issues, including trade, defense, and counterterrorism. Trump, known for his blunt style, called Modi a “terrific man” and acknowledged his tough negotiation skills.
“He is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest,” Trump said with a smile.
The joint statement released after the visit reaffirmed the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, emphasizing mutual trust, shared interests, and strong people-to-people ties.
