During his first term, President Trump struck up an exuberant bromance with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holding joint rallies in Texas and India and calling Modi one of “America’s greatest, most devoted, and most loyal friends.” The camaraderie between the two leaders was evident as they shared a stage, with Trump even going as far as to say that he and Modi were “world leaders in social media.” This friendship between the leaders of the world’s oldest and largest democracies was a refreshing change from the strained relationships between previous US presidents and Indian prime ministers.
The bond between Trump and Modi was not just a superficial one. It was built on a strong foundation of shared values and mutual interests. Both leaders are known for their nationalist ideologies and their focus on economic growth and development. They also share a common vision of a strong and prosperous India-US relationship, which has been reflected in their actions and policies.
During Trump’s first term, the US-India relationship reached new heights. The two countries signed several key agreements, including the historic Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which allows for the sharing of military technology and information. This agreement has strengthened the defense ties between the two countries, making India a major defense partner of the US.
But it wasn’t just in the realm of defense that the two leaders found common ground. They also worked together to boost trade and investment between the two countries. In 2019, India was the US’s ninth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $146.1 billion. This was a significant increase from the $126.2 billion in trade during the previous year. The two leaders also signed a trade deal that aims to reduce trade barriers and increase market access for both countries.
In addition to trade and defense, the two leaders also collaborated on issues such as counterterrorism and energy. They have both been vocal about their commitment to fighting terrorism and have taken steps to strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation in this area. In terms of energy, the US has become one of India’s top suppliers of crude oil, and India has also increased its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US.
The personal chemistry between Trump and Modi was on full display during the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, Texas, in September 2019. The event, attended by over 50,000 Indian-Americans, was a celebration of the strong and growing relationship between the two countries. Trump’s attendance at the event was seen as a significant gesture, as he became the first US president to attend an Indian-American community event with a sitting Indian prime minister.
The bromance continued when Modi visited the US in February 2020 for a two-day state visit. The highlight of the visit was the “Namaste Trump” rally in Ahmedabad, where Trump addressed a crowd of over 100,000 people, alongside Modi. The two leaders also signed a $3 billion defense deal, which includes the sale of Apache and MH-60 Romeo helicopters to India.
However, with Trump’s defeat in the 2020 US presidential election, many wondered if the strong India-US relationship would continue under the new administration. But even before taking office, President-elect Joe Biden has expressed his commitment to strengthening the US-India partnership. In a tweet, he said, “As we work to contain COVID-19 and rebuild our economy, this is a moment to build back better. Build back better means working with our allies and partners to meet the global challenges we face.” This statement was seen as a positive sign for the future of the India-US relationship.
In fact, Modi was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Biden on his victory, further cementing the friendship between the two countries. In a tweet, Modi said, “Congratulations @JoeBiden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights.”
The strong bond between Trump and Modi may have been one of the defining features of the US-India relationship in the past four years, but it is clear that the friendship between the two countries goes beyond the personalities of their leaders. With shared values, mutual interests, and a commitment to working together, the India-US partnership is set to continue to thrive under the new administration.
In conclusion, the bromance between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi has been a significant factor in
