Trump Praises PM Modi as "Great Man" Following Meeting with US Envoy, Discusses India's Plans to Halt Russian Oil Imports

US President Donald Trump has expressed high praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a "great man" following a productive meeting between the Indian leader and US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor.

During a joint news conference at the Oval Office with FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday, Trump shared his thoughts on India's leadership and its evolving position on global issues, particularly regarding oil trade with Russia.

When asked about Gor's discussions with PM Modi, Trump responded enthusiastically, "I think they were great... PM Modi is a great man. He (Sergio Gor) told me that he (PM Modi) loves Trump."

The President expressed admiration for India's political stability under Modi's leadership, recalling how the country previously experienced frequent changes in leadership. "I have watched India for years. It's an incredible country and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months and this was year after year after year and my friend has been there now for a long time," he stated.

Trump highlighted India's cooperation with the United States on energy matters, noting that PM Modi had assured him New Delhi would soon cease oil imports from Moscow. "He's assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia... He's not buying his oil from Russia... He can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon," the President explained.

The US President emphasized that ending India's oil trade with Russia would strengthen international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. "All we want from President Putin is to stop this, stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians because he's killing a lot of Russians," he remarked, while describing the hostility between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "major obstacle."

"I think we'll get them. If India doesn't buy oil, it makes it much easier... They will not be buying oil from Russia, and they'll go back to Russia after the war is over," Trump added, expressing optimism that India's position could help reduce tensions.

While the briefing primarily focused on the administration's initiatives to address violent crime across the United States, it also served as an opportunity for Trump to highlight the deepening US-India relationship and his ongoing rapport with Prime Minister Modi.