PM Modi Congratulates 'Friend' Trump on 2024 Win: A New Chapter for US-India Ties Begins
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first few world leaders to phone Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election as the 47th President of the United States. Writing on social media, the prime minister wished him with renewed collaboration and wrote: "Heartiest congratulations, my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory ". As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let's work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity." A Friendship on the World Stage
The relationship between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump is inimitable, with visibly friendly camaraderie, mutual admiration, and marked at events such as the "Howdy, Modi!" in Houston in 2019 and "Namaste Trump" in Ahmedabad in 2020. Both leaders addressed crowds that were large and ecstatic, reinforcing the personal rapport they share and signaling the commitment to strengthening ties between India and the United States.
Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together,… pic.twitter.com/u5hKPeJ3SY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2024
Such high-profile events underlined the bond between these two leaders, built upon shared ideals and respect for each other's cultural and political values. This has been beneficial in fostering better mutual understanding and easing cooperation on fronts ranging from defense to economic initiatives.
Defense and Security Strategic Cooperation
Modi and Trump have closely aligned on defense and security issues, particularly on a shared commitment to counterterrorism. Both leaders have been strong on terrorism, with a pointed focus on the threats emanating from Pakistan, a topic of great mutual interest. This has helped strengthen India-U.S. security relations and furthered military cooperation.
Under their stewardship, the U.S. and India have further bolstered defense ties through actions such as joint military exercises and India's inclusion into the Quad alliance with the U.S., Japan, and Australia. Their mutual vision for a "free and open Indo-Pacific" has spurred cooperation focused on checking China's increasing hegemony in the region and further solidified the strategic partnership between the two countries.
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Trade Tensions Amid "America First" Policies
While the Modi-Trump era exhibited growth in defense and security relations, the trade area became the battleground. Reflecting Trump's "America First" policy, a series of tariffs were launched on India, cutting right across its sectors, beginning with steel, agriculture, and many more. An initial reciprocal measure was ushered in by India, post which, the battle lines were drawn between these two nations concerning trade debates. Both the leaders took care while negotiating balanced economic policies working out fairly traded practices and ensuring mutual benefits.
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Health Cooperation in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought India and the United States closer together in public health cooperation. Prime Minister Modi and President Trump coordinated efforts to support each other's responses to the pandemic. Indeed, India supplied hydroxychloroquine to the United States early in the pandemic following a request from President Trump. It's really interesting as there emerged crises in India which also left the US responding to deliver critical supplies, along with vaccines as nations in states of need require and take care of others just alike.
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Vision into Future Shared
Modi's congratulatory message highlights a desire to build on the progress that was achieved during Trump's previous term and to continue developing a comprehensive partnership addressing both regional and global challenges. With mutual interests in areas such as security, economic growth, and health, the U.S. and India appear poised for a stronger alliance under Trump's renewed leadership.
Both leaders have committed to "promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity." The partnership will strengthen bilateral relations and further wider goals, such as the stability of the Indo-Pacific and counterterrorism efforts. Friendship between Modi and Trump, in its current state, will most likely serve as a foundation for advancing shared strategic interests that will benefit both nations and reinforce their role in addressing global issues.
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