U.S. President Donald Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, and made statements regarding Iran, India, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump argued that the tension with Iran began not in recent months but years ago. He said the tension escalated during his term when they killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed under former U.S. President Barack Obama, Trump claimed that the deal would give Iran nuclear weapons and recalled that he canceled the agreement. Trump said this was stopped once again with B-2 bombers.
Speaking about the latest agreement reached with Iran, Trump stated that it is not a simple text of only two paragraphs, but rather a very strong document. Claiming that the Iranian navy and air force have been largely neutralized, Trump argued that senior Iranian leaders have been killed and that the Tehran administration is ready to make a deal.
Trump also said the U.S. military is the most powerful military force in the world. Citing the situation in Venezuela as an example, Trump stated that the process was short and that relations between the two countries are now in a good place.
Opening a separate topic on India, Trump said the country plays a major role in every matter and that this role will grow as long as Prime Minister Modi continues his leadership. Stating that India will always have a strong friend in the White House, Trump emphasized that relations with New Delhi are very good.
Responding to a question on energy trade, Trump stated that India can do whatever it wants with the U.S. and that the relationship between the two countries cannot be closer than it is now.
Modi, on the other hand, said he was pleased with the agreement reached between Iran and the U.S. and expressed hope that it could contribute to long-term peace in the region. Emphasizing that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy, Modi said that preserving freedom of navigation is also a fundamental priority for India.
Modi recalled Indian sailors who died in U.S. attacks on ships off the coast of Oman. Saying that thousands of Indian sailors serve on global maritime trade routes including the Strait of Hormuz, Modi stated that the safety of these individuals is extremely important for India.
Trump also touched on the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that he held meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that these meetings went well. Saying he wants the war to end, Trump noted that the process is progressing more difficultly than he expected because Zelenskyy and Putin do not like each other.
