Trump praises PM Modi, says India can count on him 100% as he virtually joins US 250th Independence Day celebrations | Today’s news
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday joined as a “special guest” after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor joined him virtually at the 250th US Independence Day celebrations held in New Delhi. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “brilliant”. Trump added that India can “100% rely on him”.
The United States of America commemorates its Independence Day on July 4, 1776, marking its separation from Britain.
“I love India. You (Ambassador Gor) must give a good speech as a representative of our country. I just want to greet everyone. I love the Prime Minister. PM Modi is great, he is my friend,” Trump said, according to ANI.
He added: “India can count on me 100 percent. They call right here. We are doing well. We are setting records. We have a record economy, a record stock market and everything India wants to get. I am a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi.”
The grand celebration, organized by the US Embassy in India, brought together senior diplomats, political leaders, business leaders and cultural figures, highlighting the strengthening India-US partnership. Among those present were External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador Sergio Gor.
The event also featured a live performance by composer, Oscar-winning composer and music maestro AR Rahman, whose rendition of “Jai Ho” received a rapturous response from the audience and symbolized the cultural ties between India and the US. He also performed a medley of popular songs including “Dil Se”, “Muqabla” and “Fanaa”.
The celebration was part of Rubio’s ongoing visit to India, which consists of high-level diplomatic meetings and discussions with Indian leaders.
According to ANI, US Ambassador Sergio Gore said, “America first does not mean America alone. And every week we identify opportunities that are beneficial to both our nations. I am especially proud that this spring our embassy brought a record delegation that will continue in the coming weeks and months as we continue our work here in India…”
Rubio’s visit to India
India and the United States are expected to soon finalize a long-awaited trade deal, which Rubio described as “beneficial” and “sustainable” and said it would advance the common interests of both countries. He also expressed his belief that bilateral relations are on an upward trajectory.
Rubio, who is on a four-day visit to India, said this after extensive discussions with Jaishankar. The talks focused on expanding cooperation in trade, critical minerals, energy and defense.
Trump praised Rubio, practically describing him as “the greatest,” adding that he will remember the most outstanding secretary of state in United States history.
Rubio’s visit is widely seen as an effort to restore relations that have been strained over the past year over trade and US tariff measures. Relations soured after the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Indian exports, including tariffs related to India’s imports of Russian energy.
“We hope that our trade representative will be able to visit us very soon. We had an Indian delegation in the US. We have made tremendous progress and I think we will end up with a US-India trade agreement that will be permanent and mutually beneficial and sustainable in a way that will address our national interests,” PTI quoted Rubio and Jaishan as saying at a joint press conference.
Rubio is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers in New Delhi.
India is gearing up to host a security dialogue in the capital where discussions will focus on the evolving security situation in the Indo-Pacific region as well as rising tensions in West Asia.
A high-level quadrilateral security dialogue meeting involving India, the United States, Australia and Japan is scheduled for May 26 under the chairmanship of Jaishankar.
