7 hours Ago
NEW DELHI: Expressing admiration for Donald Trump’s courage and resilience, PM Narendra Modi said his connect with the US president was that they both put nation first and had dedicated themselves to the service of the nation. “Even after being shot (July 2024), he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation.
Trump’s will to live and fight for the US even after being shot appeals to me because this showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in Nation First. I stand for India First and that’s why I connect so well (with Trump),” the PM said. Modi’s emphatic endorsement of Trump in a podcast with Lex Fridman, popular podcaster and research scientist at MIT, comes at a time US allies, particularly Europe and Canada, are taking a heavy battering from the president who has been accused by some of dragging America into isolationism with his policies.
India itself has been under threat from Trump’s tariff war but is hoping for an exemption from the Apr 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, based on a trade deal it’s negotiating. I’m not neutral, I strive for peace: PM on Ukraine Trump was far more prepared in his second term, with a clear roadmap and steps to achieve his goals, the PM said, adding that he had put together a “strong, capable” team to assist him. In the podcast, Modi backed the recent thaw in ties with China said said normalcy had returned to the border since his meeting with President Xi Jinping last year, and that trust, enthusiasm and energy would return in bilateral ties “slowly but surely”.
He said efforts were on to restore conditions to how they were before 2020. On Pakistan, while describing it as the epicentre of terrorism, Modi said all Indian attempts for a reconciliation had met with hostility and expressed hope Pakistan will choose the right path as its people deserved a future free of violence. On the Russia-Ukraine war, Modi strongly reiterated India’s position that both countries need to return to the negotiating table.
“I can tell President Putin this is not the era of war. I can also tell President Zelensky that regardless of how many people stand with you, there will never be a resolution on the battlefield. Ukraine may hold countless discussions with its allies, but it will bear no fruit.
Discussions must include both sides,” he said, adding the current situation provided an opportunity for meaningful talks between Russia and Ukraine. “I am not neutral. I strive for peace,” he said, underlining India’s position and expressing concern about how the war has hurt the Global South.
Asked about his relations with Trump, Modi appreciat ed the “trust” that the president has in him. “Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation.
Trump’s will to live and fight for the US even after being shot appeals to me because this showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in Nation First. I stand for India First and that’s why I connect so well (with Trump),” the PM said. Asked what he liked about Trump, Modi recalled that the US president, during his first term, had ignored security protocol and agreed to his request to take a lap around the stadium hosting the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston.
“I was touched by his courage and his trust in me,” he said. On Trump describing him as a tough negotiator, Modi said he always puts India’s interests first. “That’s why in every forum, I speak up for India’s interest, not to harm anyone but in a positive manner and because of that, no one takes offence,” he said.
On China, Modi said differences between the two countries were natural but “our focus is on ensuring these don’t turn into disputes”. “Instead of discord, we emphasise dialogue for building cooperative relationship. After my meeting with President Xi, we are seeing a return of normalcy to the border.
We are now working to restore conditions to how they were before 2020. Slowly but surely, trust, enthusiasm and energy will return,” he said. “Of course, it will take some time because of the five-year gap.
Our cooperation is essential also for global stability and prosperity. Since the 21st century will be Asia’s century, we want India and China to compete in a healthy way. Competition is not a bad thing but it should never turn into a conflict,” he added.
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