US President Donald Trump on Thursday reaffirmed America's close affinity with India, reiterating his good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the media after a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his state visit, Trump alluded to Europe's Russian supply of oil and mentioned that he had applied drastic tariffs on India as an example.
He also mentioned his recent conversation with Modi, noting that he called the Indian leader “the other day” to extend birthday greetings.
“And when I found out that the European nations were buying oil from Russia, and as you know, I'm very close to India. I'm very close to the Prime Minister of India, I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday. We have a very good relationship and he put out a beautiful statement too. But I sanctioned them,” Trump told the briefing on Thursday.
The US President went on to underscore that China is already paying Washington a "very large tariff" and that he would only think about imposing further actions in the war if "the people that I'm fighting for are buying oil from Russia."
On the war in Ukraine, Trump contended that Moscow's stance would be weakened if the price of oil falls. “Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, Putin is going to drop out. He's going to have no choice. He's going to drop out of that war,” he added.
“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. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine! President DJT," Trump posted on his social media Truth Social.
This display of bonhomie between the two leaders comes at the time when there has been a renewed push for trade talks between Washington and New Delhi. Obeying Trump's desires, Modi reiterated India's resolve to "take the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights."
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