Trump said, “I love the Prime Minister. Modi is great. He's my friend, and I just want to say a very, very good evening to everybody this morning here, and this evening there." (File Photo)US President Donald Trump dialled Secretary of State Marco Rubio into an event celebrating America’s 250 years of Independence at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during Rubio’s India visit. Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “friend”, Trump asserted that ties between Washington and New Delhi had “never been closer”.Speaking over speakerphone to hundreds gathered at the embassy event, Trump said, “I love the Prime Minister. Modi is great. He’s my friend, and I just want to say a very, very good evening to everybody this morning here, and this evening there. And I just want to say, you’re great. We’ve never been closer to India, and India can count on me 100% and our country.”#WATCH | Delhi | US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor connects with the US President live at the 250th Independence Day celebration.US President Donald Trump says, “…I love India…I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister. PM Modi is great, he is my… pic.twitter.com/MxPrFWKdWO— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2026The remarks came amid Rubio’s three-day visit to India focused on repairing strains in bilateral ties and advancing cooperation in defence, trade, energy and critical technologies. Rubio met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday.Trump also highlighted the strength of the US economy and reiterated support for India. “If they ever need help, they know who they call. They call right here. We’re doing well. We’re setting records. We have a record economy, a record stock market, and anything India wants again. And I’m a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi”, he said.According to the Prime Minister’s statement, Modi and Rubio discussed defence cooperation, strategic technologies, trade and investment, energy security, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties. Rubio also shared the US perspective on developments in West Asia.Happy to receive the US Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio.We discussed sustained progress in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and issues related to regional and global peace and security.India and the United States will continue to work closely for… pic.twitter.com/CuD0DdDXB7— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2026The US State Department said Rubio stressed that Washington “will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage” and noted that US energy exports could help diversify India’s energy supplies.Rubio, speaking in New Delhi, described India-US ties as a “strategic alliance” between two countries with “global influence and the ability to influence global events”.The visit comes at a time when both sides are seeking to stabilise ties after tensions over US visa restrictions, deportations and Washington’s outreach to Pakistan. Rubio’s trip also precedes the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26.Modi, in a post on X after meeting Rubio, said India and the United States would “continue to work closely for the global good”.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd