Washington, June 30: U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Goor, stated that President Donald Trump regards Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend and is fully committed to strengthening ties with India. He emphasized the importance of the personal rapport between the two leaders in advancing bilateral relations.
At the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Ambassador Goor remarked that President Trump holds India in high esteem and frequently shares his experiences from the country.
Goor noted, “America wants to work closely with India. We care about this relationship. We have a president who deeply values this partnership.”
He added, “Just before the weekend, I was here in Washington D.C. with him for nearly two hours, and he was very pleased with what he learned about India. He has fond memories of his last visit, which he often talks about. He loves India.”
The ambassador expressed hope that President Trump would return to India during his second term, saying, “I hope the president will visit us in India sometime.”
Highlighting the close personal relationship between the two leaders, Goor recounted an incident from a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Miami. He said, “A few months ago, I was backstage at the UFC with the president, and he suggested, ‘Let’s call the Prime Minister.’ I replied, ‘Sir, it’s 6:00 AM there.’ He said, ‘He’ll be up. He’s like me.’”
Although the call was scheduled for the next day, Goor indicated that this incident reflects the nature of the relationship between Trump and Modi, with the president genuinely considering the Prime Minister a friend.
Goor noted that their relationship has been beneficial for the larger strategic partnership since Trump’s first term. He stated that both governments are focused on achieving tangible results in trade, investment, defense, and technology. America is eager to collaborate with India.
He emphasized that the next two years will be crucial for shaping bilateral relations for decades to come. “These next two years will set the course for our relationship for many decades. Everyone involved should view this as a long-term project. What we are planting now will support us for decades,” he said.
Goor reassured skeptics, stating, “For those who tweet from behind their screens claiming this relationship is in trouble, the reality shows that whether in trade, defense, or people-to-people connections, it stands strong.”
He affirmed that both governments are committed to enhancing cooperation across nearly every major sector. During his recent visit to India, he witnessed tremendous potential across all fields. “Not a day goes by without new opportunities for collaboration between our two countries. Whether it’s AI, technology, or defense, the possibilities are immense.”
The close working relationship between Trump and Modi has been evident since Trump’s first term, marked by high-profile events like “Howdy Modi” in Houston in 2019 and “Namaste Trump” in Ahmedabad in 2020.
Officials from both countries have frequently referenced their personal rapport, which has facilitated cooperation in defense, trade, technology, and Indo-Pacific security.
Leave a Comment