"President Trump respects India's rise, admires PM Modi's leadership": USISPF's senior advisor Al Mason
Washington DC, June 30
USISPF's Honorary Senior Advisor Al Mason on Monday said that the India-US relationship has regained "historic momentum", crediting US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor with helping revive ties between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026 in Washington, DC, Mason said the relationship between the two leaders had gone through a difficult period before being revitalised.
"The historic Trump-Modi relationship, once the envy of the world, had entered a very challenging phase. Trade, domestic priorities, bureaucratic challenges, media noise." Mason said.
He said Sergio Gor played a key role in restoring communication between the two leaders. "President Trump then introduced the exceptionally talented friend, Sergio Gor, into the storyline to reconnect the two old friends", he said.
According to Mason, Gor delivered three key messages from President Trump to Prime Minister Modi.
He said, "To Prime Minister Modi himself, he (Gor) conveyed 3 basic truths: President Trump respects India's rise, President Trump admires Prime Minister Modi's leadership, and President Trump wants a stronger India-US relationship."
Mason also said Gor helped explain India's transformation to President Trump. "At the same time, Ambassador Gor helped President Trump understand Modi's New India, speaking in Trump's language of scale, ambition, growth, limitless potential, and the aspiration of 1.5 billion people", he said.
Referring to the renewed engagement between the two leaders, Mason said their interaction at the G7 Summit reflected the revival of bilateral ties. "And then came the climax. G7 in France, the world saw the handshake, the warmth, smiles, chemistry between Trump and Modi," he said.
Highlighting the future trajectory of the partnership, Mason pointed to expected high-level visits.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India this year. President Trump may visit India next year. These are powerful signs that the US-India relationship has regained historic momentum," he said.
Meanwhile, revealed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was so profoundly captivated by his maiden official visit to India in May that he is already actively coordinating a return trip before the end of the year.
Gor shared an exclusive anecdote from the recent G7 Summit in France, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump, and Secretary Rubio crossed paths, showcasing the relaxed and familiar rapport shared between the high-level leadership.
"The President and I were with Prime Minister Narendra Modi just last week in France at the G7, and Secretary Rubio was there. And the Prime Minister came over to the Secretary, and his first question was, 'How did you like Jaipur?' And the Secretary was amazed by the history, the colours, the beauty of these incredible places, and promised the Prime Minister that he's actually looking into coming back before the end of the year for another visit to India," Gor said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the positive tone, but let's be honest—our relationship with the US has been a rollercoaster. Trade disputes and tariffs have hurt Indian farmers and businesses. While it's nice that Trump "respects" India's rise, we need fair trade deals, not just compliments. Hope Rubio's return visit brings substance.
Love the energy! Modi and Trump are two strong leaders who understand ambition and scale. The way Gor explained Modi's New India in Trump's language was brilliant—this is how diplomacy should work. Can't wait for Trump's visit next year! 🚀
"Historic momentum"? More like a lot of talk and photo ops. Meanwhile, H-1B visa issues continue to affect Indian professionals, and there's no clarity on trade concessions. I hope this renewed warmth translates into real benefits for ordinary Indians, not just for the elite.
Trump respecting India's rise is massive. The US finally sees us as a global player, not just a back office. Modi's leadership has put India on the map, and this relationship is key for tech, defense, and space collaborations. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳🇺🇸
I'm cautiously optimistic. The fact that Rubio was so taken by Jaipur shows India's soft power is working. But we must ensure these visits don't just become diplomatic tourism. We need tech transfers, investment in manufacturing, and a fair immigration policy. Actions speak louder than handshakes.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.