‘Mr Prime Minister, you are great’: Donald Trump sends signed photo to PM Modi with message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sergio Gor, the Ambassador-designate of the United States to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Sergio Gor, the Ambassador-designate of the United States to India, and expressed confidence that the India–US partnership would further deepen during his tenure.

During the meeting, Gor presented Prime Minister Modi with a framed photograph of US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, carrying a handwritten message from the US President that read, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.” The note was signed personally by President Trump.

Following the meeting, Gor reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi. “The US values its relationship with India, and under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I’m optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations,” he said.

Gor’s appointment as the US Ambassador to India was confirmed earlier by the US Senate.

The camaraderie between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi has endured despite trade tensions between the two nations reaching a two-decade low due to high US tariffs on Indian goods. Trump’s administration imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports and an additional 25% levy on India’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total tariffs to 50%.

India had denounced the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” stating that its imports were driven by market dynamics and the need to ensure the energy security of 1.4 billion citizens.

Despite these trade frictions, both leaders have maintained frequent communication on global and economic issues.

Earlier this week, PM Modi spoke with President Trump to discuss ongoing trade negotiations and to congratulate him on the Gaza peace deal. In a post on X, Modi said the two leaders had “reviewed progress on bilateral trade talks and agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks.”

President Trump has consistently referred to PM Modi as a trusted friend. On Modi’s birthday on September 17, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, “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.”

He also thanked Modi for supporting his efforts to resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict, writing, “Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!”

Earlier, Trump had expressed confidence that India and the US would reach a trade deal, praising PM Modi’s leadership and calling India a vital partner. PM Modi, too, had described the US as a “close friend” and a “natural partner” of India.

In early September, Trump had criticised India’s outreach to Russia and China following PM Modi’s meetings with Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, remarking, “We’ve lost India and Russia to China.”

Despite that, diplomatic engagement between the two nations has continued steadily. Five rounds of negotiations on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) have been completed so far, while the sixth round, originally scheduled for late August, was postponed following the tariff hike.

*With Agency Inputs