By Aditi Khanna

LONDON: (Sep 18) US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is “very close” to India and shares a strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the British PM’s countryside residence, Trump said he has a “very good relationship” with Modi and also wished him on his 75th birthday — a gesture reciprocated by the Indian leader with a “beautiful” statement.

“I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday,” Trump told reporters.