EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) 鈥� U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to show there was no daylight between him and Indian Prime Minister effusively describing Modi as his loyal friend even as their relationship is tested by , oil sanctions and, most recently, a U.S. that killed three Indian mariners.
The leaders鈥� meeting came just a week after in a strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman in the midst of a U.S. blockade targeting oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Indian Foreign Ministry has formally protested the incident.
The two sat down on the sidelines of the on Wednesday, where Modi was one of several leaders who attended as a guest of the host, French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump dismissed any suggestion of trouble between the U.S. and India, repeatedly heaping praise on Modi, describing him as a tough negotiator.
鈥淲e have the best relationship. We cannot be closer than we are. Would you say that, sir? I don鈥檛 think we can be any closer,鈥� Trump said, reaching out to clasp Modi鈥檚 hand. 鈥淏oth him and I, and our nations. But it really starts with the two of us.鈥�
When it came time for Modi to speak, he raised the strike directly, noting hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals work on ships around the world, including in the strait. 鈥淭heir safety is of utmost importance to us,鈥� Modi said, after thanking Trump for coming to an agreement to end the .
鈥淵ou made tremendous efforts towards reaching this understanding and this agreement, and I鈥檓 confident that the issue of seafarers will receive the highest priority during the implementation of this agreement,鈥� he said.
Asked for words of condolence for the mariners’ families, Trump said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough profession. There鈥檚 no question about it. And we work together on it.鈥� He added: 鈥淲e love all of those people. They鈥檙e great people.鈥�
Trump had a notably during his first term.
During a two-day trip to India in 2020, Trump was impressed when Modi honored him with a massive rally at a cricket stadium. Months earlier, Trump had joined the Indian leader at the 鈥淗owdy Modi鈥� rally in Houston, which drew a big showing from Texas’ Indian diaspora.
But this time around, Trump and Modi’s relationship has been complicated by Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine and trade disputes.
The Trump administration put on Indian exports last year, partly over New Delhi鈥檚 . The two countries reached an , but talks on a broader agreement are ongoing.
Trump on Wednesday said a new deal is 鈥渧ery close鈥� while describing Modi as a 鈥渟cary鈥� trade negotiator. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He鈥檚 like an angel. But actually, he鈥檚 as tough as 鈥� he鈥檚 a killer,鈥� Trump said.
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Binkley reported from Washington.
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