NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump, who is on his second visit to the United Kingdom, underlined his personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and close ties with India. During a joint presser with UK PM Keir Starmer on Thursday, Trump made a mention of his recent birthday wishes for PM Modi and the PM’s “beautiful statement” after the call.” … I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. I spoke to him the other day, wished him a happy birthday. We have a very good relationship. He put out a beautiful statement, too,” Trump said.However, the US President then went on to justify his sanctions over purchase of Russian crude oil. “If the oil price comes down, very simply, Russia will settle, and the oil price is way down,” he said.At almost midnight on Wednesday, Trump had dialed Modi to convey birthday wishes, calling him a leader who has done a “tremendous job.”PM Modi later posted on X: “Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”A few minutes later, Trump also posted on Truth Social: “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine!”The call also came on the day India and the US resumed talks on a long-pending trade deal.
