New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that it had not seen the video of US President Donald Trump’s comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political career that resurfaced on social media. However, it added that it would examine the matter and then take “appropriate action”.
During his weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “I have not seen the video… However, if such a video exists, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it.”
The MEA’s response came after a reporter referred to an old video of Donald Trump that emerged in October last year.
What did Trump say
Interacting with the media, Trump had said: “He’s a great man. Modi is a great man, that he loves Trump. Now, I don’t know if the word love, I don’t want you to take that any different. I don’t want to destroy his political career, but you have to understand, I’ve watched India for years. My friend has been there now for a long time.” The clip had gone viral.
Trump’s remarks came amid mounting tensions in US-India relations over trade deal and New Delhi’s Russian oil imports. It came days after Trump wished PM Modi on his birthday on September 17.
In the video, Trump piled praise on PM Modi and claimed that India had assured the US it would stop buying Russian oil. But, India never made such a commitment back then. The video resurfaced shortly after India and the US sealed a trade deal agreement, under which Washington has removed additional tariffs of 25 per cent on Indian imports and reduced reciprocal tariffs from 25 to 18 percent.
What MEA said on trade ties with Russia
Speaking about trade and bilateral relations with Russia, Jaiswal said, “Russia-India have ongoing engagement and cooperation across a range of issues – from trade to people-to-people cultural interaction, defence engagement and all those ties. All those aspects of our bilateral relations will continue to grow.”
What MEA said on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’
Replying to a question on Trump’s Board of Peace, Jaiswal said: “We have received an invitation from the US government to join the Board of Peace. We are currently considering this proposal and reviewing it.” He added that India always backs efforts that promote peace, stability, and dialogue in West Asia.
“Our prime minister has also welcomed all such initiatives that pave the way for long-term and lasting peace in the entire region, including Gaza.”