'We missed you a lot', Trump tells PM Modi; work on ties will now be with 'more speed', says Indian PM

US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "We missed you, we missed you a lot," as he met his friend after five years. 

As he was welcomed to the White House on Thursday, PM Modi gave him a hug and told him, "It's great to see you again."

This was PM Modi's first meeting with Trump after his re-election and they picked up their bonhomie where they had left off.

Later at a news conference, they referred to their long friendship and recalled their earlier meetings.

Trump said, "I am thrilled to welcome my friend Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India back to the White House."

"He is a special man," he said.

He recalled PM Modi's hospitality to him and his wife Melania in India in 2020 and said he was happy to reciprocate.

The "Namaste Trump" rally hosted by PM Modi in Ahmedabad was "tremendous", he said.

PM Modi said he was expressing "my heartfelt gratitude to my friend President Trump for the grand welcome and hospitality accorded to me".

An excellent meeting with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump at the White House. Our talks will add significant momentum to the India-USA friendship! pic.twitter.com/lS7o4768yi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2025

Old Memories Reminisced By The Two Leaders:

Their last meeting as President and Prime Minister was in February 2020 when Trump visited India and he was hosted at the mammoth "Namaste Trump" rally of more than 129,000 people in Ahmedabad.

Before that, Trump joined PM Modi at the "Howdy Modi" rally of Indian Americans in Houston in 2019 when they were feted by a crowd of about 50,000 people.

As they readied for their formal talks, Trump introduced PM Modi to his Cabinet members and nominees.

Trump welcomed PM Modi at the West Wing lobby in the White House.

President Donald J. Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi to the White House today. 🇺🇸🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4UB23j7UvK

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 13, 2025

Further Proceedings That Took Place During The Meet:

US President introduced PM Modi to other officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk.

The Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, and India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived at the White House soon after PM Modi's arrival.

Ahead of PM Modi's arrival, Indian flags were being put up at the White House.

What Did PM Modi Say About His Meeting With President Trump?

Meeting Donald Trump at the White House, PM Modi told the US President that he was delighted to see him back for a second term. He also expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to advance India-US strategic partnership with the “same bond, trust and excitement”.

“I am delighted to see you back in the White House I congratulate you on behalf of 140 crore people of India...people of India gave me an opportunity to serve as PM for the third time. In this term, I have the opportunity to work with President Trump once again for the next four years, and it is a great pleasure. I can say from my past experience of working with you in your first term, we will continue to advance India-US strategic partnership with the same bond, same trust and the same excitement,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister is among the first few world leaders to visit the United States following President Trump's inauguration. He has been invited to visit within three weeks of the new administration taking office.

Since November 2024, PM Modi and Trump have spoken on the phone twice.

PM Modi landed in the US at the invitation of Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time). He travelled to the US after concluding his three-day visit to France.

Notably, India and the US launched a "strategic partnership" in 2005. The ties between the two nations were elevated to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during Trump's visit to India in February 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that US President Donald Trump made "immense personal contribution" strengthening the relationship between the two countries in his first term and the two sides will "work with more speed" during his second term.

What Else Did President Trump And PM Modi Discuss?

President Trump called the Prime Minister "great friend of mine".

The two leaders met for the first time after President Trump's return to the White House for a second non-consecutive term with evident warmth, friendship and familiarity and referred to their close relationship and how they will use it to advance India-US ties.

"You've made an immense personal contribution towards strengthening our relations, towards making them more comprehensive, and attaining unprecedented heights in our relationship," Prime Minister Modi said through a translator referring to the President's first term and the progress made in the relationship.

"I firmly believe that in your second term we will work with even more speed."

The Prime Minister also noted for the President that he puts India's national interest ahead of everything like him.

"One thing that I deeply appreciate, and I learned from President Trump, is that he keeps the national interest supreme. And like him, I also keep the national interest of India at the top of everything else."

President Trump proceeded to outline the objectives for the discussions, clearly showcasing his determination to prioritise America's national interests in his conversations with the Prime Minister.

"They're going to be purchasing a lot of our oil and gas. We have more oil and gas than any other country in the world, by far, and they need it, and we have it. And we're going to talk about trade, we're going to talk about many things, but it's really an honour to see you, and you have been my friend for a long time," Trump said.

Official Statement Made By Trump Administration:

Senior officials from the Trump administration informed reporters that both parties will continue negotiations on a trade deal, with the aim of finalising it in 2025.

(With IANS inputs)