Former U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his election to a third consecutive term. In a public statement, Trump referred to Modi as a "friend" and called him "a great one," acknowledging Modi's historic achievement. The congratulatory message from the former U.S. president underscores the personal relationship that developed between the two leaders during Trump's tenure in the White House.

Prime Minister Modi's re-election marks a significant political milestone, making him the first Indian Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms in office. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition secured a majority in the 2024 general election, paving the way for Modi's continued leadership. Modi was sworn in for his third term on June 9, 2024, in New Delhi.

The relationship between Trump and Modi gained prominence through several high-profile public events during Trump's presidency.

  • In September 2019, Trump attended the "Howdy, Modi!" event in Houston, Texas, a large rally for the Indian diaspora, where both leaders addressed a crowd of tens of thousands.
  • In February 2020, Modi hosted Trump for the "Namaste, Trump" event in Ahmedabad, India, drawing an estimated 100,000 people. These events highlighted a public display of camaraderie and mutual admiration between the two leaders.

Trump's latest message to Modi aligns with previous expressions of support and respect. Throughout his presidency, Trump consistently emphasized the importance of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, often highlighting the economic and security ties between the two democratic nations. The two leaders engaged in numerous bilateral discussions, focusing on areas such as trade, defense cooperation, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Modi's third term is anticipated to continue India's trajectory of economic growth and its increasing role on the global stage. The U.S.-India strategic partnership has remained a cornerstone of Washington's foreign policy across multiple administrations, with both nations identifying shared interests in counter-terrorism, defense, and economic collaboration. Should Donald Trump seek and win the U.S. presidency in 2024, the pre-existing relationship between him and Prime Minister Modi could influence future bilateral engagements. The focus now for the Indian government is on implementing its agenda for the new term, while diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and India are expected to continue, given the established strategic importance of their relationship.