‘He’s a fantastic man, a friend’: Trump praises PM Modi, signals ‘good’ India-US trade deal
Washington: US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a close friend and expressing confidence that India and the United States would reach a trade agreement.
Trump made the remarks while delivering his only on-camera soundbite to an Indian journalist at the World Economic Forum in Davos, News18 reported on Thursday.
“I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He’s a fantastic man and a friend of mine,” Trump said.
According to the report, Washington and New Delhi continue high-stakes negotiations to resolve a prolonged trade standoff marked by tariffs, geopolitical tensions and disputes over energy and agriculture.
Asked directly about a potential trade agreement, the US President said, “We are going to have a good deal.”
Earlier this month, Trump had publicly linked India’s trade treatment to its purchases of Russian oil, claiming New Delhi had reduced imports in response to US pressure.
“They wanted to make me happy,” Trump said at the time, adding, “Basically, Modi is a very good man. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy.”
Trump warned that India could face swift trade consequences if it failed to align with Washington’s position on Russian energy. “We do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” he said, adding, “And it would be very bad for them.”
New Delhi has denied giving any assurances on curbing Russian oil imports, maintaining that its energy decisions are guided by national interest and price stability.
Trade relations between India and the US remain strained, with the Trump administration imposing tariffs totalling up to 50% on several Indian exports, including penalties linked to India’s continued engagement with Russia and its participation in the BRICS grouping.
India has responded cautiously, introducing retaliatory duties on selected US agricultural imports. Key sticking points remain unresolved as the White House continues to press India to open its agricultural markets further, a sensitive issue for New Delhi, which views farm protections as non-negotiable.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
