Trump Praises Modi in Delhi Call

President Donald Trump phoned into a U.S. Embassy reception in New Delhi on May 24 marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and used the appearance to praise India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In remarks published by the U.S. State Department, Trump told the audience, “I love India,” called Modi “great” and “my friend,” and said India could count on him “100 percent.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio was at the event alongside Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, according to the State Department transcript. The call came during Rubio’s May 23-26 trip to India, which the department said would include discussions on energy security, trade and defense cooperation with senior Indian officials. (state.gov) The episode was a ceremonial moment, but it also placed Trump directly into a high-level public event in the Indian capital while Rubio was in the country for official meetings. Here is what happened and why it drew attention. ### What exactly did Trump say on the call from Washington? Trump’s remarks were brief and delivered by phone after Ambassador Sergio Gor told the audience he had “a special guest” on the line. Trump then said: “I love India. (state.gov) I love India,” before adding, “I love the prime minister. Modi is great. He’s my friend.” The State Department transcript also shows Trump saying, “We’ve never been closer to India, and India can count on me 100 percent and our country.” He added, “Anything India wants, they get,” before praising Rubio and asking the audience to pass greetings to Modi. (state.gov) ### Who was in the room when the call happened? Marco Rubio attended the reception in New Delhi, and the State Department listed Jaishankar and Gor alongside Trump in the official record of the event. The venue was Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, according to the same transcript. (state.gov) Indian media reports said the call was played live to the audience during the Freedom 250 celebration hosted by the U.S. mission. Those reports also described the appearance as a surprise insertion into the evening’s program. ### Why was the event tied to America’s 250th anniversary? (state.gov) The reception was branded “Freedom 250,” part of U.S. events marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, according to the State Department’s published remarks from the New Delhi program. Ambassador Gor opened the event by welcoming guests to “this incredible celebration of 250 years for the United States.” (hindustantimes.com) The New Delhi event took place more than a year before the United States reaches the July 4, 2026 milestone, reflecting the broader commemorative campaign already underway at U.S. diplomatic posts and official venues. That timing is consistent with the “Freedom 250” label used in the State Department release. (state.gov) ### How does Rubio’s India visit fit around the call? The State Department said on May 19 that Rubio would travel to India from May 23 to May 26, with stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi. The department said his agenda included meetings with senior Indian officials on energy security, trade and defense cooperation. (state.gov) Indian and international media reports said Rubio’s visit included appearances in New Delhi with Jaishankar and other officials as Washington sought to maintain momentum in the bilateral relationship. The public call from Trump inserted the president into that setting without changing the formal schedule released by the State Department. (state.gov) ### Was this an official bilateral meeting or a ceremonial appearance? The May 24 exchange was presented by the State Department as remarks at a reception, not as a formal Trump-Modi bilateral conversation. The published transcript records Trump addressing the audience through Gor and sending greetings to Modi, but it does not describe a separate leader-to-leader meeting. (apnews.com) Sergio Gor’s introduction and Trump’s short comments indicate the call was folded into the event program as a live appearance. The official record names the participants at the reception and preserves the exchange as part of the evening’s remarks. (state.gov) May 26 is the next dated marker in the story. Rubio’s India trip is scheduled to run through that day, and the State Department has said the visit covers meetings on energy security, trade and defense cooperation with senior Indian officials. (state.gov) (state.gov)