“If they (India) were attacked, we would be there to help them…. If anybody attacks that man (Modi), we’re going to be there,” Trump said during a joint press interaction with Modi.
The remarks, among the clearest expressions of support by an American President towards India, came amid growing strategic convergence between the two countries and renewed concerns over security in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
The two leaders also indicated that a bilateral trade agreement was nearing completion. Asked about the progress of negotiations, Trump said the two sides were “very close” to finalising a deal and described Modi as “one of the toughest negotiators”.
“I’ll give you a lesson. He’s the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He’s like an angel, but actually he’s as tough, as he’s a killer. He is as tough as they come, but he looks so good. So, he gets you by surprise. But there are few people like him,” Trump said in a lighter vein.
The Prime Minister, in his remarks, praised Trump’s efforts to restore peace in West Asia and said the agreement reached under the US leadership had rekindled hopes for lasting stability in the region.
“I commend you for your leadership on the progress that has been made in the efforts to restore peace in West Asia. New hope for peace and stability in the region has been rekindled,” Modi said.
The Indian PM underlined that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open was vital for the global economy and stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation.
Modi also drew attention to the safety of Indian seafarers employed across international shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed the confidence that their concerns would receive priority during the implementation of the agreement.
The issue assumes significance in the wake of the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region that claimed the lives of Indian sailors.
To a question on the deaths, Trump expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
“I heard about that. It’s a rough profession. We work together on it. We love all of those people. They’re great people,” he said.
Trump also said he expected India to play an important role in West Asia and asserted that the country’s global influence would continue to expand.
Recalling his previous visit to India, Trump spoke about the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston and the massive turnout during his Ahmedabad trip, describing it as one of the most memorable experiences of his presidency. He reiterated that India had “a great friend in the White House” and said Americans had “tremendous respect” for Modi.
Modi, meanwhile, said the two countries had imparted “new speed and new energy” to bilateral ties since their meeting in Washington last year and noted that officials on both sides were working closely to achieve the targets set by the two leaders.
The meeting came as India and the US seek to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, maritime security and emerging technologies, while also coordinating closely on developments in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Besides meeting Trump, Modi held separate talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the European Union leadership, comprising European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In his meeting with Costa and von der Leyen, Modi reviewed the progress made since the 16th India-EU Summit held in January and welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
During his talks with Merz, Modi reviewed the growing momentum in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, defence, technology, innovation, green development, education and mobility.
The two leaders welcomed the conclusion of the India-EU FTA negotiations and noted that 2026 marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Germany.
Merz invited Modi to Germany later this year for the eighth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, underscoring the renewed momentum in bilateral ties.
Sources within the Indian establishment told The Tribune that these bilateral meetings at the G7 Summit highlighted how India’s multi-alignment approach was bearing fruit across major global economies. “Taken together, all developments demonstrate how PM Modi’s multi-alignment approach is translating into concrete economic outcomes, with Canada, the UK and the European Union,” he said.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising five eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia
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