Washington, Nov 5: The White House has said that U.S. President Donald Trump holds great respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the two leaders are in regular communication to strengthen bilateral ties.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump “feels very positive and strongly” about the U.S.-India relationship.
“I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi, and they speak pretty frequently,” Leavitt said.
She highlighted recent developments such as the Diwali celebrations at the White House and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the next U.S. Ambassador to India as signs of the administration’s commitment to deepening ties with New Delhi.
“He recently spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian American officials. We have a great U.S. Ambassador to India in Mr. Sergio Gor, who will represent our country very well,” Leavitt added.
On October 21, President Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House, calling Prime Minister Modi “a great person” and expressing his affection for “the people of India.” The event was attended by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, FBI Director Sergio Gor, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, and leading members of the Indian diaspora.
During the event, Trump lit a diya in the Oval Office, describing it as “a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness” and extending his “warmest wishes to the people of India.”
Turning to the issue of trade, Leavitt said that “serious discussions” were ongoing between the U.S. and India to resolve outstanding issues and conclude a trade agreement. “The President and his trade team continue to be in very serious discussions with India with respect to that topic,” she said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi also confirmed on October 30, 2025, that trade negotiations remain active. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We continue to remain engaged with the U.S. side to conclude a trade deal, and these discussions are continuing.”
Trade talks between the two countries had stalled in August 2025 due to tariff disputes and differences over market access, particularly concerning agricultural goods and energy imports from Russia. Despite these hurdles, both sides remain committed to finalizing an agreement aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment.