‘You Are Great’: Trump’s Message To PM Modi As US Envoy Meets Amid Trade Tensions

US Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, delivering a signed photograph from President Donald Trump that described the Indian leader as “great.” The high-level meeting, which focused on key bilateral issues including defence, trade, and technology, comes amid significant strains in the economic relationship between the two countries over Washington’s recent imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods.Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that Gor’s tenure would further strengthen the India-US strategic partnership. Gor, in turn, relayed a warm message from his president, telling reporters that “President Trump considers PM Modi a great and personal friend.”

The envoy confirmed that their discussions covered not just trade and defence, but also the strategic importance of critical minerals. The photo presented to Modi showed him with Trump at the White House and was inscribed with the message, “Mr Prime Minister, you are great.”The cordial optics of the meeting, however, stand in stark contrast to the simmering trade dispute between the two nations.

Relations have been under severe strain since President Trump’s administration doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent, a move India has described as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The tariffs also included an additional 25 percent duty on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

Despite the tensions, there are signs of a potential thaw. Recent phone conversations between Modi and Trump have raised hopes for a positive outcome, and trade negotiations between the two countries have recently resumed after a brief pause. Both sides, however, are still seeking a concrete breakthrough to finalize a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. Before meeting the Prime Minister, Gor also held discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.