MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to a video of Donald Trump's remarks about PM Modi, saying 'appropriate action' would be taken. He also commented on India-Russia ties and clarified amendments to a US factsheet on a trade agreement.
MEA on Trump's Remarks About PM Modi
The Ministry of External Affairs's Official Spokesperson for Randhir Jaiswal addressed questions about a video in which U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said he "doesn't want to destroy Modi's political career." Jaiswal, during his weekly press briefing on Thursday, clarified that he had not seen the video in question. When asked about Trump's remarks, Jaiswal responded, "I have not seen the video. But if indeed there is such a video, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it."
The spokesperson's statement came in light of a resurfaced clip from Trump's press conference with the Director of the FBI, where he is praising PM Modi, saying that "Modi is a great man, that he loves Trump." He clarified the cautious interpretation of the word "love" and asked, "not to take that any different." "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," Trump had said in the video.
India-Russia Bilateral Relations
Further on the 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."
Clarification on India-US Trade Agreement
Meanwhile, responding to the US factsheet, he clarified that the recent amendments made in the United States factsheet on the framework for the India-US interim trade agreement reflect the "shared understandings" on the matter between the two countries.
Jaiswal, when asked about changes made in the White House factsheet on the deal, said that the joint statement on the framework for the interim agreement remains the basis of mutual understanding between the two sides. "As you are aware, the India-US Joint Statement on the framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade was issued on 7 February 2026. The Joint Statement is the framework and remains the basis of our mutual understanding in the matter. Both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalising the Interim Agreement," Jaiswal said.
"The amendments in the US fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the Joint Statement," he added.
The clarification comes amid reports highlighting revisions in the US document, which earlier had contrasted with the statement released by the Indian side. (ANI)
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