Big fan of PM Modi: Trump after Sergio Gor connects him live at Delhi event

US President Donald Trump on Sunday delivered a warm message to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a virtual appearance at the 250th US Independence Day celebration hosted at the US Embassy in New Delhi, assuring that India could count on him "100 per cent".

The interaction took place against the backdrop of expanding India-US cooperation on trade, defence and the Quad partnership. In virtual interaction, Trump highlighted both his admiration for PM and the importance of the India-US relationship.

"I love India," Trump said during the live interaction.

"I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister. PM Modi is great; he is my friend."

The US President went even further, directly reassuring India of Washington's support.

"India can count on me 100 per cent. We're doing well. We're setting records. We have a record economy, a record stock market and anything India wants to get. I am a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi," Trump said.

TRUMP PRAISES RUBIO

Trump also used the occasion to praise US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is currently visiting India for the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

"Marco is the greatest. He is going down as the greatest Secretary of State in the history of our country," Trump said.

Rubio's visit comes at a significant diplomatic moment as India prepares to host senior representatives from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, which includes the US, India, Japan and Australia.

The grouping has increasingly emerged as a key strategic platform focused on Indo-Pacific security, maritime cooperation and supply chain resilience amid China’s growing regional influence.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also attended the embassy celebration, which blended diplomatic messaging with cultural performances and symbolic displays of growing India-US ties.

A NEW ERA OF SHARED SUCCESS

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor strongly emphasised the personal chemistry between Trump and Modi while describing bilateral ties as stronger than ever.

"Every time the President and I speak, one of the first questions the President will ask is, ‘How is my friend, the Prime Minister doing?’" Gor said.

"And that is something that is important to convey because this relationship is not new."

Gor argued that the India-US partnership had entered what he called "a new era of shared success", driven by growing investment, trade and strategic cooperation.

"This bond is the foundation of a new era. We are actively delivering on the promise of our cooperation and building a future of tangible achievements," he said.

TRADE DEAL EXPECTED IN COMING WEEKS

The event also reflected growing optimism around an interim trade agreement currently under negotiation between India and the US. Gor revealed that the framework of the deal had already been announced and suggested that the agreement could be signed within weeks.

"Since I arrived in New Delhi just five months ago, we have announced an interim trade deal that, hopefully, in the next few weeks, will get signed," he said.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies