Washington, D.C.: In a warm reunion at the White House, US President Donald Trump greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an affectionate, “We missed you, we missed you a lot.” The two leaders, meeting for the first time since Trump’s re-election, rekindled their camaraderie as PM Modi responded with a hug, saying, “It’s great to see you again.”
A Friendship Rekindled
At a later press conference, both leaders reflected on their long-standing friendship and past meetings. President Trump expressed his pleasure in welcoming “his friend, Prime Minister Modi” back to the White House, calling him a “special man.”
Recalling his 2020 India visit, Trump fondly remembered the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad, which drew a crowd of over 129,000 people. In return, PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the grand hospitality extended to him in Washington.
Revisiting Past Encounters
The last time the two leaders met in an official capacity was during Trump’s India visit in February 2020. Before that, they had shared the stage at the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston (2019), which saw 50,000 Indian Americans in attendance.
As their discussions commenced, President Trump introduced PM Modi to his Cabinet members and senior officials at the White House.
Key Figures in the Meeting
Among the key attendees were:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval
India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra
Strengthening India-US Ties
Speaking on his visit, PM Modi expressed optimism about the future of India-US relations, stating that he was confident their strategic partnership would continue to thrive with the “same bond, trust, and excitement.”
As Indian flags adorned the White House, the meeting marked another significant chapter in India-US diplomatic relations, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
