By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday telephoned India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wished him on his 75th birthday, media reported.
“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,” Trump posted on his Truth Social.
He addressed him directly with his first name Narendra, Trump also thanked PM Modi for his support to end the Ukraine war.
“Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!,” he added.
Modi responded by thanking Trump for the phone call and birthday wishes, added that New Delhi supports Washington’s initiative towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” Modi said.
This is the first phone call between Modi and Trump since June 17, when the two leaders spoke after they could not meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.
The ties between India and US took a downward turn with the US President accusing New Delhi of sponsoring Russia’s war against Ukraine and imposed a steep 50 per cent tariffs over its purchase of Russian Federation oil.
Both countries halted negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.
Trump acknowledged he might have lost New Delhi to Beijing and Moscow after the SCO summit where Modi, Putin and Xi met together.
Trump made a course correction and praised his “friend” Modi, called the India-US relationship a “special one”.
Modi also reciprocated Trump’s positive assessment of India-US ties, paved the way for trade negotiations to restart.
