United States memo highlights praise for PM Modi’s diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew praise among Indian social media users for his diplomatic outreach, defence agreements and personal equation with President Donald Trump during his February 2025 visit to Washington, according to recently released State Department documents.

The internal US Embassy assessment said supporters viewed PM Modi’s engagement with Trump, Elon Musk and Indian Americans as a strategic effort to advance India’s interests on the global stage. The February 18, 2025, analysis was released by the State Department in July under the Freedom of



Information Act.

The document is marked “unclassified”, rather than declassified, and the names of the officials involved have been redacted.

“PM Modi was praised in certain circles for his diplomatic outreach, especially when it came to trade negotiations and defense agreements that were seen as positive outcomes,” the assessment said. “Some people also appreciated the way PM Modi was recognised by President Trump as a ‘tough negotiator,’ which reinforced the idea that PM Modi was representing India’s interests in key conversations,” it added.