(Photo credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: US ambassador to India Sergio Gor shared an anecdote about US President Donald Trump wanting to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6am, saying it reflected the personal bond the two leaders share.Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Gor said Trump considers Modi “a friend” and remains deeply committed to strengthening ties with India, describing the leaders’ rapport as a key driver of the bilateral relationship.Recalling an incident from a UFC event in Miami a few months ago, Gor said Trump unexpectedly suggested calling the prime minister.”I was a couple months ago… with the president at UFC in Miami and we’re sitting backstage and he said to me, ‘Let’s call the Prime Minister,'” Gor said, referring to PM Modi.When he reminded Trump that it was 6am in India, the president replied: “He’ll be up. He’s like me.”The call was eventually made the following day, but Gor said the episode underscored the comfort level between the two leaders. “The louder message of that story is when you’re friends with somebody, not everything has to be scheduled. And the president truly considers the Prime Minister a friend,” he said.Gor said Trump continues to speak warmly about India and often recalls his previous visit to the country. “The United States wants to work hand in hand with India. We care about this relationship. We have a president who deeply cares about this relationship,” he said.The ambassador said he had spent nearly two hours with Trump before the weekend in Washington, during which the president spoke fondly about India.”He has very fond memories of India. His visit last time, it was one of his most remarkable visits that he continues to talk about. He holds India in a very fond place,” Gor said.He added that he hopes Trump will visit India during his second term.According to Gor, the relationship between Trump and Modi dates back to Trump’s first term and has helped deepen cooperation between the two countries.”His years with the Prime Minister go back to his first term. There’s warm memories of India. And so that’s an incredible benefit,” he said.The ambassador said both governments remain focused on delivering concrete outcomes in areas such as trade, investment, defence and technology.”We are results driven,” he said, adding that the next two years would be crucial in shaping the future of the India-US partnership.”These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. So for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one-year or two-year project, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us decades ahead.”Trump and Modi developed a close working relationship during Trump’s first term, with high-profile events such as the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in 2019 and “Namaste Trump” in Ahmedabad in 2020. Officials in both countries have often cited their personal chemistry as an important factor behind cooperation in defence, trade, technology and the Indo-Pacific.
