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‘Very close to PM Modi’: In UK, Trump reaffirms ties with India amid trade talks
Trump made the remarks while referring to Europe's purchase of Russian oil and citing the example of his steep tariffs on India.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday reaffirmed ties with India even as he said “he is very close” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Trump made the remarks while referring to Europe's purchase of Russian oil and citing the example of his steep tariffs on India. He was talking to reporters following a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during this state visit to the country.
The US President also referred to the call he made to PM Modi on his birthday eve, saying he spoke to the Indian prime minister “the other day” and extended his birthday wishes.
Also Read: Trump calls up Modi for birthday wishes, hours after ‘positive’ trade talks resume
“And when I found out that the European nations were buying oil from Russia, and as you know, I'm very close to India. I'm very close to the Prime Minister of India, I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday. We have a very good relationship and he put out a beautiful statement too. But I sanctioned them,” Trump told the briefing on Thursday.
Trump also said that China was paying a “very large tariff” to the United States and that he was willing to do other things to intervene in the conflict only if "the people that I'm fighting for are buying oil from Russia".
He further said that if the oil price comes down, Russia is going to drop out of the Ukraine war.
“Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, Putin is going to drop out. He's going to have no choice. He's going to drop out of that war,” he added.
The latest remark comes two days after Trump dialed PM Modi on his birthday eye and said he appreciated the "tremendous job" the Indian leader is doing.
Also Read: After Trump-Modi icebreaker, US chief negotiator for trade talks on his way to India
“Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine! President DJT," Trump posted on his social media Truth Social.
The bonhomie between the two leaders also follows the resumption of the trade talks between the two countries, with the Indian government describing the discussions as "positive and forward-looking, covering various aspects of the trade deal".
Prime Minister Modi, while thanking Trump for his wishes, referred to the trade talks, saying India is fully committed to “taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights”.
The India-US ties — which was on a downturn since Trump hiked tariffs on India to 50% — has seen a positive development, especially with the US President announcing resumption of trade nogotiations earlier this month.
