Washington D.C. – The Trump Modi friendship received another public affirmation when US President Donald Trump showered Prime Minister Narendra Modi with immense praise during the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, despite the Indian leader’s absence from the high-profile event. Trump’s remarks underscore the strong personal bond between the two leaders.
Trump’s Praise at Gaza Peace Summit
Speaking during the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, Trump made his appreciation for the Trump Modi friendship abundantly clear. “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he has done a fantastic job,” the US President stated, highlighting the mutual respect that characterizes their relationship.
Notably, the US President’s remarks came as Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was standing in the background. Trump expressed hope that Pakistan and India “are going to live very nicely together,” revealing his optimistic vision for South Asian regional stability while celebrating the Trump Modi friendship.
Prime Minister Modi was invited to attend the Gaza Peace Summit but skipped the event, instead deputing Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent India at the gathering.
Continuing Bonhomie Between Leaders
Trump’s mention of Modi despite the Indian PM’s absence at the Gaza Peace Summit exemplifies the enduring Trump Modi friendship that has captured global attention. The relationship has weathered various challenges, from trade disputes over tariffs to geopolitical complexities, yet continues to strengthen.
From tensions between India and the US over Trump’s tariffs to a series of social media posts shared by both leaders, phone calls, and birthday greetings, the world has witnessed the evolution of the Trump Modi friendship firsthand.
Personalized Gestures and Communication
One of the most recent gestures highlighting the Trump Modi friendship was a signed photograph that US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor presented to PM Modi during their meeting on Saturday. Trump had sent a handwritten message on the photo reading: “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”
The Trump Modi friendship has been nurtured through regular communication, including phone calls over Modi’s birthday and conversations following Trump’s success in brokering the Gaza peace plan. These personal touches demonstrate the genuine warmth in their relationship.
Trump’s India-Pakistan War Claims
What has been a striking element in the Trump Modi friendship and the broader India-US equation is Trump’s repeated claim that he “stopped” the India-Pakistan conflict that occurred in May following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
Trump’s praise for PM Modi and his hope for improved India-Pakistan ties came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two South Asian neighbors earlier this year.
Operation Sindoor and Ceasefire
The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The military operation targeted terror infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
Also Read: Israeli Hostages Release: Modi’s Powerful Praise for Trump, Netanyahu
The two neighbors engaged in a four-day conflict, with Pakistan’s attempts to strike back at India thwarted by Indian armed forces. On May 10, the Pakistani director general of military operations reached out to his Indian counterpart to cease hostilities, leading to a ceasefire understanding between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Trump’s Tariff Strategy Claims
Despite the Trump Modi friendship, the US President has repeatedly claimed credit for ending the India-Pakistan conflict, using it as an example while lobbying for a Nobel Peace Prize. Aboard Air Force One en route to the Egypt Summit, Trump again repeated his claim about using tariffs to resolve international conflicts.
“I settled a few of the wars just based on tariffs. For example, between India and Pakistan, I said, if you guys want to fight a war and you have nuclear weapons, I am going to put big tariffs on you both, like 100 percent, 150 percent, and 200 percent,” Trump stated.
Trump claimed he “had that thing settled” in 24 hours, adding: “If I didn’t have tariffs, you could have never settled that war.”
India’s Firm Stance
However, India has remained firm in its position, denying any third-party involvement in its decision to reach a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor. The Trump Modi friendship has not altered New Delhi’s stance that the Kashmir issue and bilateral matters with Pakistan will only be dealt with bilaterally, without external mediation.
Modi’s Gaza Peace Plan Response
The Trump Modi friendship was evident when PM Modi called Trump on October 9 to congratulate him on the “success of the historic Gaza peace plan” after Israel and Hamas signed off on phase one.
In a post on X, Modi wrote: “Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks.”
Shortly after his call with Trump, PM Modi also contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the peace deal, reaffirming that “terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world.”
Modi Welcomes Hostage Release
PM Modi on Monday welcomed the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for more than two years. “Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” his post read.
This statement further reinforced the Trump Modi friendship and India’s support for US-led peace initiatives in the Middle East, even as Modi chose to skip personal attendance at the Egypt summit, sending ministerial representation instead.
The enduring Trump Modi friendship continues to shape diplomatic dynamics across multiple regions and remains a key factor in global geopolitics.
