Trump makes personal intervention as US tries to strengthen India ties, hails PM Modi during call

Donald Trump surprised guests at America’s 250th Independence Day event in New Delhi with a phone call praising Narendra Modi and calling him a close friend. Trump said “India can count on me 100%” as top leaders including Marco Rubio and S. Jaishankar attended the celebrations. The outreach came amid growing geopolitical tensions and efforts to deepen strategic ties between Washington and New Delhi, with both sides stressing stronger cooperation, democracy and long-term partnership in a rapidly shifting global order.