US President Donald Trump made a surprise live phone call to an event in Delhi on May 24, 2026, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was present, and used the moment to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the India-US relationship.
The event was organised to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence and was attended by senior Indian dignitaries, diplomats and business leaders, according to NDTV.
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BREAKING: President Trump just abruptly CALLED IN to an event in India to tell Marco Rubio —
“You’re going down as the GREATEST Secretary of State in the HISTORY of the US!”
Marco is living it up over there
HE’S CRUSHING IT! pic.twitter.com/Eq9PeHHhSB
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 24, 2026
A surprise ring from Washington
During the call, Trump told the audience, “I love the Prime Minister. Modi is great. He’s my friend,” and added, “We have never been closer to India. And India can count on me 100 per cent… Anything India wants, they get.”
He also said he was “a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi” and asked that his warm regards be conveyed to the Indian leader. The remarks drew loud applause at the venue.
President Trump called me tonight. He had a clear message: “ . ’ . ’ , …” pic.twitter.com/jJBLhKdZhL
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) May 24, 2026
The compliments come in generous supply
Trump also used the call to praise Rubio, who was at the event, calling him “the greatest secretary of state in the history of the US.” He also referred to US envoy to India Sergio, saying the current team was delivering “the big stuff” for the bilateral relationship.
Trump described the US economy and stock market as setting records, linking that performance to the relationship with India.
Trade talks keep the backdrop busy
The call came days after Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi for talks on trade, critical minerals, energy security, defence collaboration and technology cooperation.
Rubio had said the two sides were close to finalising a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement that would be “beneficial” and “sustainable” for both countries. The phone call landed against a backdrop of periodic friction over tariffs and immigration policy, but also ongoing efforts to deepen strategic and economic ties.
