India and the United States’ ties across the spectrum including commerce, strategic affairs and defence are likely to see a healthy boost with Donald Trump winning the presidential polls, as he shares a warm relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Prime Minister Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate “friend” Donald Trump on his ‘historic” victory.  In his message, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday said he looks forward to renewing their collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.

“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership,” Modi said in a social media post.

“Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.  The prime minister also posted pictures of his previous meetings with Trump, who was the US president from 2016-2020.

Both leaders share the same views regarding strategic co-operation and defence. They also shared a hard stance against terrorism, which strengthened ties, especially regarding Pakistan-based threats.

During his first term as president, India and the US also shared a vision for a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” in an apparent effort to counter China’s aggressive postures in the strategically important region. This led to closer defence ties, joint military exercises, and India’s key role in the Quad alliance with the US, Japan, and Australia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, their relationship extended to health cooperation, with India supplying hydroxychloroquine to the US and America later supporting India’s response.

There were some hiccups in trade with Trump favouring America First. Policy leading to tariff disputes.  Both sides imposed tariffs on each other’s goods. These irritants are likely to go away during Trump’s second innings, sources said.

Last month, Trump had praised Prime Minister Modi as “the nicest human being”, saying the Indian leader is “a friend of mine.”  Trump had made the comments in response to a question. “Modi, India. He’s a friend of mine. He’s great... Before him, they were replacing them every year. It’s very unstable. He came over. He’s a friend of mine. But on the outside, he looks like he’s your father. He’s the nicest, but he’s a total killer,” he had said.

Trump had also recalled Modi’s visit to Houston in 2019 to attend the ‘Howdy Modi’ event during his tenure, saying, “It was beautiful. It’s like 80,000 people going crazy. We were walking around...” The Republican candidate had said he shares a “very good relationship” with Modi.

The ‘Howdy Modi’ event was followed by Trump’s 2020 visit to India, where he was welcomed with the ‘Namaste Trump’ rally, organised by PM Modi in Ahmedabad, with about 100,000 people attending the event at a cricket stadium. Modi and Trump had also met in 2017 in Washington DC.

Last week, Trump had extended Diwali greetings and pledged to safeguard the interests of Hindu Americans, vowing to shield them from what he described as the “anti-religion agenda of the radical left.”

He highlighted his commitment to protecting their freedoms and enhancing relations with India, a nation he said was a vital ally. Sharing a social media post, Trump wrote, “We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi.”

Trump also condemned the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus and Christians, amidst the political turmoil following the resignation of former Prime Minister  Sheikh Hasina. “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos,” Trump said.

The Congress also congratulated Trump with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying “we look forward to working closely with the United States for global peace and prosperity”. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also congratulated Trump and wished success to him in his second term. “Congratulations on your victory, @realDonaldTrump! Wishing you success in your second term as US President. All the best to @KamalaHarris in her future endeavours,” Gandhi said in a social media post.

In a social media post, Kharge said, “On the behalf of the Indian National Congress, we extend our congratulations and best wishes to President @realDonaldTrump for his election victory.”

India and the United States share a robust comprehensive global strategic partnership, underpinned by long-standing shared democratic values, aligned interests, and extensive people-to-people connections, the Congress president said. “We look forward to working closely with the United States for global peace and prosperity,” Kharge said.

Several world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of the European Union Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had also sent their congratulatory messages to Trump. “I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump. The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them,” der Leyen said.

Netanyahu was among the first leaders to acknowledge Trump’s victory on social media and send his greetings, calling it history’s greatest comeback. “Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” he said, signing it off with “yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu”.