Trump Wanted to Call PM Modi at 6 AM from UFC Event, Says US Envoy; India-US Trade Deal in Final Stage

United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor revealed that President Donald Trump wanted to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6:00 am while attending the UFC 327 event in Miami, highlighting their close personal relationship. Gor also said the India-United States trade agreement is in its final stage, with only one per cent of negotiations remaining.

A candid account shared by United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has offered a rare glimpse into the personal rapport between United States President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Leadership Summit on Monday, Gor revealed that Trump wanted to call Prime Minister Modi while sitting backstage at the UFC 327 event in Miami, Florida, in April this year, despite it being 6:00 am in India.

Recalling the incident, Sergio Gor said President Trump suddenly suggested calling Prime Minister Modi. Gor responded by pointing out that it was 6:00 am in India. Trump, however, dismissed the concern, saying that Prime Minister Modi would already be awake because "he is like me, he does not sleep."

Gor said the conversation could not take place immediately because President Trump had to appear on stage shortly afterward. As a result, the call with Prime Minister Modi was scheduled for the following day.

Sharing the anecdote, Gor said the episode reflected the warmth and personal trust between the two leaders. He remarked that genuine friendships do not always require formal scheduling. According to the ambassador, President Trump holds India in the highest regard and considers Prime Minister Modi a close friend, a relationship he indicated is different from the one Trump shares with several other world leaders.

"There are leaders we schedule things with because he does not consider them at the same level that he considers the prime minister," Gor said while addressing the summit.

The ambassador also said President Trump remains deeply fond of India and frequently speaks about his previous visit to the country. Expressing optimism about future engagement, Gor said he looks forward to welcoming the President back to India at an appropriate time.

Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two leaders, Gor noted that the connection between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump dates back to Trump's first term in office. He said the President continues to cherish warm memories of India and described that relationship as an important advantage in strengthening bilateral ties.

Addressing economic cooperation, Sergio Gor said negotiations on the proposed India-United States trade agreement have reached their final phase. He stated that only the last one per cent of discussions remains before the agreement can be concluded.

Responding to questions about the duration of the negotiations, Gor said the process has continued for approximately one and a half years. He compared it with the European trade agreement, which, according to him, required two decades to complete. He expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiations would soon reach a successful conclusion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the United States in February last year, is expected to travel to the United States again in December to attend the G20 Summit. Trump and Prime Minister Modi most recently met in France on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, where their well-known camaraderie was once again evident during bilateral discussions.

The ambassador's remarks underscore the strong personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while also highlighting the strategic importance of India-United States relations, with both nations moving closer to finalising a long-awaited trade agreement.