Modi Dials Friend Trump to Renew Old Camaraderie

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to United States President-elect Donald Trump late on Wednesday night (IST) to congratulate him on his “spectacular” electoral victory and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties across all spheres between the two nations. Taking to social media, the Prime Minister said, “Had a great conversation with my friend President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space, and several other sectors.”

The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Trump, who will take over as the 47th US President next January, succeeding the incumbent Joe Biden, who had defeated him electorally four years ago.

Government sources said President Trump stated during the conversation that “the whole world loves Modi” and that “India is a magnificent country and Modi is a magnificent man.” Sources added that President Trump considers Modi and India as true friends, mentioning that Modi is one of the first world leaders he spoke to after his victory.

Modi and Trump share a well-known camaraderie and bonhomie. Both worked together to advance India-US ties during Trump’s first tenure from January 2017 to January 2021.

The two leaders addressed the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston, Texas, in September 2019, while Trump received a grand welcome in India at the “Namaste Trump” event in Ahmedabad in February 2020.

While the Biden administration also favoured strengthening ties with India, there had been tensions in bilateral relations for over a year. The Biden administration directly criticised India on human rights and religious freedoms, demanding “accountability” over an alleged foiled plot to kill pro-Khalistan extremist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and expressed unhappiness over India’s continued close ties with Russia.

Earlier, the Prime Minister congratulated “friend” Donald Trump in a post on X: “Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity."

Trump's victory is seen as a golden opportunity to open a new chapter in bilateral ties and remove existing irritants. Trump is expected to visit India next year in his second tenure, coinciding with India’s hosting of the Quad summit.

Speaking to this newspaper, former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who also served as ambassador to the US during Trump’s first tenure in the White House, said, “Modi and Trump have a very strong personal connect and have worked together. I had the opportunity as the then Ambassador to interact with Trump. He has a lot of interest and respect for India.”

Former high commissioner to Canada and Pakistan Ajay Bisaria stated that for India, Trump is a tested partner and the overall impact on ties should be positive, continuing the four years of Trump in the White House until 2020.

“A Trump White House is likely to advocate for deeper geopolitical engagement with India and the Quad, along with intensifying contestation with China. This could translate into locating more global supply chains in India, alongside private investment. The US may look more sympathetically at Indian sensitivities in South Asia,” Bisaria said, adding, “The biggest geopolitical benefit to India could come if Trump lives up to his promise of pressing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Given his positive chemistry with Modi, Trump may even want to involve India in building the peace.”

Another distinguished former diplomat and former secretary (west) Vikas Swarup told this newspaper, “Given the strong personal chemistry and camaraderie between Modi and Trump, a lot of issues can be resolved at the leader-to-leader level.” He added that Trump had previously hailed Modi as a strong leader.

Notably, just four days ahead of poll day, Trump reached out to the 5.2 million-strong Indian-American community in the United States, vowing to protect American Hindus and strengthen the “great partnership” with India and his “good friend” Modi, if elected to power.

Trump also condemned atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and pledged to “protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical Left.”

Wishing the community on the occasion of Diwali, Trump alleged that US Vice President and Democrat contender Kamala Harris—who is of both Indian and African Caribbean descent—will “destroy small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes.”

The strategy seems to have paid off. Indications suggest that significant numbers of Indian-Americans likely voted for Trump, who stated, “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America...”

Trump added: “Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Modi...”