A wide range of of topics, from maritime security and defence ties to West Asia, Russia and the broader India-US partnership, came up during the much-awaited talk between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in France. One of the main issues discussed was the safety of Indian

A wide range of of topics, from maritime security and defence ties to West Asia, Russia and the broader India-US partnership, came up during the much-awaited talk between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in France. One of the main issues discussed was the safety of Indian

A wide range of of topics, from maritime security and defence ties to West Asia, Russia and the broader India-US partnership, came up during the much-awaited talk between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in France. One of the main issues discussed was the safety of Indian

A wide range of of topics, from maritime security and defence ties to West Asia, Russia and the broader India-US partnership, came up during the much-awaited talk between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in France.

One of the main issues discussed was the safety of Indian seafarers following the death of three Indian crew members in an attack near the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to a question on the incident, Trump said, "I heard about that, it's a rough profession, and we work together on it. This has been happening throughout time, but we work together."

PM Modi stressed the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation.

"We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured and we should also stress upon that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important," Modi said, according to news agency ANI.

Referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran, he added, "I am confident that in the deal (with Iran) security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritised."

Defence cooperation also figured prominently in the discussions. Trump described India-US ties as a strong partnership and reiterated his support for India.

"I think it is a great relationship. If they were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help," Trump said.

The US president further emphasised his personal equation with India and Modi.

"As long as I am President, they (India) have a great friend in the White House. Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man," he said.

Trump also recalled his previous visit to India, describing it as one of his most memorable foreign trips.

"We had a great visit last time in India. We opened up that new stadium, and I think there were 3,000-4,000 people. It seated about 150,000, and there were 250,000 outside, and there were 100,000 on the grass. I don't know if those records have been broken, but I had a great time in India," he said.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the possibility of sanctions on Moscow also came up during the interaction.

Asked whether sanctions could be reimposed on Russia, Trump said, "We are looking at that. We are seeing how far the price of oil comes down, it's really tumbling. It's down, it's soon going to be at the number that was four months ago. On top of that, we will have an Iran without a nuclear weapon. I can tell that the PM feels very strongly about that too."

Trump also praised Modi's negotiating skills and leadership style.

"He's a very tough negotiator. You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. But actually, he's as tough as he is a killer. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise," Trump remarked.

"He is a tough trader, and he loves the Indian people, but he also loves the USA. We had 'Howdy Modi' in Houston. The stadium was full. We'll be going to India sometime in the future," he added.

On India's role in global affairs, particularly in West Asia, Trump said he expected New Delhi to play an increasingly important role.

"Yes, I do. I think India plays a big role in everything. As long as he (PM Narendra Modi) is the leader, India is going to play a big role," he said.

Trump also highlighted the growing economic engagement between the two countries.

"A lot of things are happening between the United States and India. The United States is doing the best we've ever done. We have over $19.2 trillion coming in, and we're building factories, we're building everything. The prime minister is building a lot in the United States. He's spending a lot of money in the United States, so we appreciate that. But I just want to say he's been my friend for a long time now, and we've always had a great relationship, and it's great to be with you," he said.

The meeting came against the backdrop of strains in bilateral ties following Washington's decision to impose punitive tariffs on India and Trump's repeated assertions that he played a role in defusing the India-Pakistan military tensions last year.

Over the past several months, Trump has publicly claimed that he helped prevent a wider conflict between India and Pakistan. India, however, consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities was the result of direct talks between the two countries and that the United States played no role in the process.

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