As the Trump administration takes shape, the continued fortification of the US-India relationship stands as one of the most significant pillars of global diplomacy, further solidifying the nations' shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and mutual respect on the world stage
On January 20th, 2025, a federal holiday in the United States marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a significant moment in American history unfolded. Donald John Trump was sworn in for his second term as the 47th President of the United States in the cold weather within the grand US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, at 12:15 PM ET. The rotunda, conceived by Dr. William Thornton, the First Architect of the Capitol, is designed as a pantheonic structure. Trump was accompanied by First Lady Melania Knauss Trump, who proudly held two Bibles: the 'Trump Bible' (a 1953 edition of the King James version, a gift from his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, in 1955) and the "Lincoln Bible" (which had belonged to William Thomas Carroll, a clerk of the US Supreme Court, and was used by President Abraham Lincoln during his inauguration on March 7th, 1861).
A number of foreign leaders were invited to the inauguration, and many attended the ceremony, including Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina's libertarian President Javier Gerardo Milei, and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is also a former envoy to the United States. While some critics made much ado about the absence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the event, they overlooked the enduring strength and vitality of the Indo-US relationship, which has withstood time and the changing tides of world affairs.
In this context, I am compelled to quote an excerpt from an important US State Department report titled "U.S. Relations with India Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet," dated January 20, 2025:
"The U.S.-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values, including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system. The United States and India have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity… The United States supports India's emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in efforts to safeguard the Indo-Pacific as a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity. The strong people-to-people ties between our countries, reflected in the four million-strong Indian American diaspora and vibrant educational exchange, are a tremendous source of strength for the strategic partnership."
Modi and Trump had a productive phone conversation on January 27, 2025. In a post on X, Modi congratulated his "dear friend" Trump on his second term and reaffirmed their commitment to a "mutually beneficial and trusted partnership," with a shared focus on global peace, prosperity, and security. On January 28, 2025, Trump addressed reporters aboard Air Force One, clarifying the state of Indo-US relations: "I had a long talk with him this morning (Monday). He is going to be coming to the White House over the next month, probably February. We have a very good relationship with India."
Reflecting on the past, Modi was sworn in as the 15th Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, after a landslide electoral victory. Modi visited the United States for the fifth time as Prime Minister on June 26, 2017, where he had his first meeting with Trump, who had assumed office as the 45th US President on January 20, 2017. Their meeting offered an excellent opportunity to discuss crucial areas of mutual interest, such as defence, security, strategic cooperation, energy, and counterterrorism. In September 2019, Modi visited the United States for the sixth time. The excitement and media coverage surrounding his visit were immense, particularly the event at the Houston NRG Stadium on September 22, 2019, dubbed 'Howdy, Modi: Shared Dreams, Bright Futures.' The event attracted a record crowd of over 50,000, mostly members of the Indian diaspora, who cheered enthusiastically.
In his speech, Modi lauded Trump, stating, "Today, we have a very special guest, someone whose name is known worldwide. His words are followed by millions, and he made an impact in politics, economy, and security. From CEO to Commander-in-Chief, he has left a lasting mark. His leadership, belief in America's future, and resolve to Make America Great Again have already strengthened the U.S. economy. We in India connect well with President Trump, and our nations have taken our relationship to new heights. Your presence here is a testament to the strength of our partnership."
Trump responded in kind, praising Modi's leadership, "Prime Minister Modi is doing an exceptional job for India. It's an honour to be here with him, celebrating the shared dreams and bright futures of America and India. The nearly 4 million Indian Americans enrich our culture and communities, and my administration is fighting for you every day. Our nations' ties, grounded in democracy, have never been stronger. Under Modi's leadership, India has lifted millions out of poverty, and in the next decade, millions more will rise to the middle class. Indian Americans are making groundbreaking contributions in medicine, technology, and business. Together, we will strengthen our bonds, advance innovation, and safeguard our freedoms."
On February 24, 2020, President Trump arrived in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with First Lady Melania for his first official visit to India. Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed Trump at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, rolling out the red carpet. Trump visited Sabarmati Ashram, spun the traditional Indian charkha, and received a gift from Modi: a replica of Gandhi's three wise monkeys symbolising "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil." He then traveled to the newly built Motera Cricket Stadium to address over 100,000 people at the "Namaste Trump" event, a response to the "Howdy Modi" event in Houston.
Modi celebrated the deepening India-US relations, stating, "This is a new chapter in our ties," and praised Trump for making significant strides in strengthening bilateral ties. He spoke of their shared values and how India and America's partnership exemplifies unity in diversity. Modi's speech concluded by introducing Trump as a friend of India.
Trump reciprocated with warm words, expressing admiration for Modi and India. He highlighted the nation's incredible rise as a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous power in just 70 years. Trump underscored that India's success story is one of freedom, and praised the Indian-American community for their significant contributions to the United States. He also expressed a commitment to deepen US-India relations and strengthen cooperation on security issues.
Trump's address ended with a call for unity and shared values, affirming that India's strength lies in its people. He concluded with, "God bless India. God bless the United States of America. We love you, India." Trump, accompanied by Melania, later visited Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on the same day to experience a private sunset view of the Taj Mahal, a monument famously described by India's Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as, "The Taj Mahal rises above the banks of the river like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time." Trump, visiting the iconic site for the first time, described it as "incredible, truly incredible" to reporters.
After his visit to the Taj Mahal, Trump headed to New Delhi for the final leg of his India trip. He spent the night at the ITC Maurya Hotel in the Grand Presidential Suite. On February 25, 2020, he was given a ceremonial 21-gun salute reception by President Ram Nath Kovind, joined by Modi and other dignitaries, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. From there, Trump proceeded to Rajghat to pay his respects at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Following that, Modi hosted Trump at Hyderabad House for the official segment of the visit, where the two leaders held extensive talks on defence ties and other key issues of mutual interest. Trump's busy day included meetings with Indian business leaders and American embassy officials at Roosevelt House, a solo press conference, and concluded with a lavish state dinner banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, specially lit for the occasion. After the banquet, Trump departed for Palam Airport to board Air Force One for his return flight to Washington. Modi expressed his gratitude to Trump and Melania on Twitter, stating, "This visit has been a path-breaking one. We have made great strides in strengthening bilateral relations. India-USA friendship benefits the people of our nations and the world."
Though we cannot predict the future, I remain hopeful and confident that, in the days ahead, the people of India and the United States will continue to foster the spirit of "Howdy Modi-Namaste Trump," forging a deeper, unwritten alliance-one that may surpass the strength of many formal agreements. With Trump now serving as the 47th President of the United States and Modi preparing for his two-day visit to America starting on the evening of February 12, 2025, the two leaders are set to engage in wide-ranging discussions on February 13, 2025, when Trump is expected to host a special dinner in Modi's honour at the White House. Long live Indo-American friendship!
(The author is a senior, internationally recognised lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts and Tribunals)
