US President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered a strong public endorsement of India, saying the United States would come to the country's aid if it came under attack while Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained in office. The remarks came during his meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, their first one-on-one meeting since Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
In their first meeting in 16 months at the French commune of Evian-les-Bains, Trump described his conversation with PM Modi as "very good" and signalled continued strategic cooperation between Washington and New Delhi.
"If Modi is the leader and India is attacked, we will be there to help them," Trump said with a chuckle.
The meeting assumed significance as it came amid efforts by New Delhi and Washington to reset ties strained by tariff disputes, disagreements over Trump's claims of mediating the India-Pakistan conflict, tighter US immigration measures on Indians, and the recent deaths of three Indian sailors in American military strikes involving commercial vessels near Oman.
Addressing reporters during the talks, Trump described his meeting with PM Modi as "very good" and underscored the closeness of the bilateral relationship.
"India and the US have a great relationship. We cannot be closer. Both he and I, and our nations. It really starts with the two of us. We cannot be any closer," he said.
Trump's remarks came after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Under the operation, Indian forces carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
The military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours lasted nearly 88 hours before both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to halt hostilities.
India has repeatedly maintained that the ceasefire understanding was made between New Delhi and Islamabad and not by Trump.
Against this backdrop, Trump underscored his support for India and PM Modi. Referring to the Prime Minister, he said, "If anybody attacks that man, we're going to be there."
In a lighter vein, the US President added, "Now, if there's a new leader, I'm not sure," drawing laughter from those present.
Trump also praised PM Modi's leadership and negotiating skills, describing him as a tough counterpart in trade discussions.
"He's a tough trader," the US President said, while adding that India would continue to prosper under PM Modi. "As long as he is the leader, India is going to do very well."
Trump also expressed condolences over the deaths of three Indian sailors killed in recent US military strikes involving commercial vessels in the Gulf region. "I heard about that. It is a rough profession. We're working at it," he said when asked about the incident.
India had summoned the US Charge d'Affaires twice in 48 hours over the US attacks on ships, one of which led to the deaths of three Indian sailors.
The meeting marked PM Modi and Trump's first in-person interaction since February 2025, when the Prime Minister visited the White House shortly after Trump's return to office for a second term. It also came weeks after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India, during which both sides explored ways to strengthen the strategic partnership despite recent strains.
While differences persist on several issues, including the US's tariffs on India, Wednesday's meeting signalled a shared desire to stabilise ties and advance cooperation across key strategic and economic sectors.
Source: India Today