PM Modi on Trump’s Remarks: India Ready to Elevate US Ties to Unprecedented Heights
In an atmosphere heavy with diplomatic nuance and global strategic recalibration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded warmly to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that reaffirmed the enduring friendship and shared aspirations between India and America. Modi conveyed India’s readiness to propel bilateral ties to new, unprecedented heights—a sentiment well-grounded in both past achievements and future-oriented vision.
On September 6, 2025, President Trump described Prime Minister Modi as a “great friend” and reaffirmed his personal connection, stating, “I’ll always be friends with PM Modi… India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about.” While acknowledging some political differences, Trump emphasized the stable, special nature of the U.S.–India bond, PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his heartfelt appreciation: “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.” These remarks signal that, even amid strains—especially over trade and geopolitical alignments—both nations remain committed to reinforcing mutual trust and strategic goodwill.
Historical Momentum and “Unprecedented Heights”
This diplomatic warmth builds on a long trajectory of expanding cooperation. In 2025, during their February presidential summit, PM Modi lauded Trump’s “immense personal contribution” to strengthening bilateral ties and underscored their intent to move forward in his second term “with even more speed.”
Under the India–U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, several landmark initiatives have already come to fruition:
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Defense and Security: A decade-long framework for the U.S.–India Major Defense Partnership has been set in motion, involving co-production of advanced platforms and deeper collaboration across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.
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Economy and Trade: The “Mission 500” plan aims to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, with a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) targeted by fall 2025.
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Technology and Energy: Both leaders have committed to joint advancements in AI, energy infrastructure, small modular nuclear reactors, and other frontier technologies—folded into their high-level planning frameworks.
These initiatives highlight that the “unprecedented heights” Modi envisions are grounded in a concrete, evolving partnership rather than mere rhetoric.
Strategic Autonomy and Trade Challenges
Despite high-level goodwill, frictions persist—particularly over protective tariffs and energy alignments. The U.S. has raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, citing concerns about India’s deepening trade ties with Russia and China. Modi’s administration has responded defiantly, asserting that India prioritizes energy security for its citizens and is ready to “pay a very heavy price” to uphold its national interests.
Notwithstanding these challenges, India maintains its strategy of strategic autonomy—balancing its longstanding ties with Russia and China, while deepening outreach to the U.S. Modi and Putin’s reaffirmation of their “special and privileged” relationship in Tianjin, with a mutual goal of reaching $100 billion in trade by 2030, underscores India’s multi-alignment diplomacy
Toward New Horizons
Modi’s affirmation following Trump’s remarks isn’t simply symbolic—it reflects a clear intention to keep India-U.S. ties on an upward trajectory, even during turbulent geopolitical times. His statement highlights India’s willingness to move swiftly, encouraged by mutual admiration and confidence, to achieve expanded cooperation across multiple domains.
Looking ahead, the vision of elevating bilateral ties to “unprecedented heights” can be seen in concrete developments:
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Qualitative expansion in defense and strategic coordination
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Bold trade targets and technology-sharing platforms
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Energy collaborations and shared innovation in AI and clean energy
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Continued pursuit of a multipolar diplomatic stance to safeguard national interests
In summary, PM Modi’s reaction to Trump’s remarks captures a moment of reaffirmed trust—at once nostalgic and forward-looking. India acknowledges the legacy of cooperation, even as it urgently pursues deeper, faster, and broader engagement. The phrase “unprecedented heights” now carries real weight, grounded in strategic frameworks and shared ambition rather than empty words.