Trump Praises Modi as ‘Very Good Friend’ at Gaza Peace Summit
US President Donald Trump publicly praised India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit in Egypt, calling PM Modi “a very good friend” who has “done a fantastic job.”
Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump called India “a great country” and praised PM Modi’s leadership
- Expressed optimism about India-Pakistan relations improving
- Leaders discussed Gaza peace agreement and trade negotiations
- Trump invited Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to speak at the summit
‘India is a Great Country’
Speaking after the signing of a historic peace agreement to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Trump made special mention of India and its leader. “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he has just done a fantastic job,” Trump stated during his summit address.
The US President also expressed optimism about regional relations, adding: “I think that Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together,” signaling hope for improved ties between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Recent Modi-Trump Conversation
Trump’s public comments followed a recent phone conversation between the two leaders, where PM Modi congratulated the US President on the success of the Gaza peace plan. The discussion also covered progress in trade negotiations between the two countries.
“Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks,” PM Modi posted on X.
This marked the second conversation between the two leaders within a month, indicating ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Sharif’s Unexpected Address
The summit witnessed an unexpected moment when Trump invited Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the gathering. Interrupting his own speech, Trump asked Sharif: “Do you want to say something?” and encouraged him to “say what you said to me the other day.”
PM Sharif used the opportunity to praise Trump’s role in the peace process, calling him “a man of peace” and describing the day as “one of the greatest days in contemporary history.”
“Peace has been achieved after untiring efforts. Efforts led by President Trump, who is genuinely a man of peace who had relentlessly and untiringly worked throughout these months, day in and day out, to make this world a place to live in peace and prosperity,” Sharif stated.
The Sharm el-Sheikh summit brought together world leaders to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and strategies for building lasting peace, with Trump emphasizing the importance of converting military gains into regional stability.
