US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has shared an anecdote that offers a glimpse into the personal rapport between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Gor, Trump once wanted to call the Indian leader at 6 a.m. India time, confidently remarking, “He’ll be up. He’s like me.”
Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington, Gor recalled that the incident took place a few months ago while he was accompanying Trump backstage at a UFC event in Miami. When Trump suggested calling Prime Minister Modi immediately, Gor reminded him that it was already 6 a.m. in India. Trump reportedly replied that Modi would already be awake because, like him, he did not sleep much.
Although the call was eventually postponed until the following day due to scheduling commitments, Gor said the episode reflected the strong personal bond between the two leaders. He noted that genuine friendships do not always require formal scheduling and emphasized that Trump considers Prime Minister Modi a close friend.
The ambassador also highlighted the broader strength of India-US relations, describing the partnership as one of Washington’s most important strategic relationships. He pointed to expanding cooperation in trade, defence, technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and people-to-people ties as evidence of the growing partnership between the two nations.
Gor further revealed that negotiations on the proposed India-US trade agreement are in their final stages, with only a handful of issues remaining before the deal can be concluded. He expressed confidence that the agreement would provide greater certainty for businesses and further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
The ambassador also announced that Quad foreign ministers are expected to meet in the coming weeks, while preparations continue for a future Quad Leaders’ Summit that is expected to include President Trump’s visit to India. These developments, he said, demonstrate the continued momentum in bilateral and regional cooperation.
The anecdote about Trump’s early morning call has drawn attention not only for its light-hearted nature but also as a reflection of the informal and personal relationship that both leaders have maintained over the years, a factor many observers believe has contributed to closer India-US ties.
