US President Donald Trump offered strong praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, saying India would continue to play a major role on the global stage as long as PM Modi remained in office.Speaking in Évian-les-Bains when asked whether he expected India to play a role in developments in West Asia, Trump replied: “Yes, I do. I think India plays a big role in everything. As long as he (PM Narendra Modi) is the leader, India is going to play a big role.”The remarks came during the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Modi in more than 16 months, as the two leaders held bilateral talks alongside the G7 Summit. Trump also spoke warmly about his relationship with the PM Modi, describing their latest exchanges as productive and pointing to growing ties between New Delhi and Washington.“We had some great meetings in France… It’s a G7. We have a G2 coming up, and then we have a G20 coming up,” Trump said. “We had, in particular, some very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi of India. We’re doing trade deals… A lot of things are happening between the United States and India.”The US President went on to praise economic cooperation between the two countries, saying: “The Prime Minister is building a lot in the United States. He’s spending a lot of money in the United States, so we appreciate that job.”

‘If India is attacked, we will be there’: Trump

Trump also signalled a stronger security commitment towards India, saying Washington would come to New Delhi’s aid if the country came under attack while Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained in office.“If they (India) are attacked and he’s (PM Modi) the leader, we would be there to help,” Trump said during the bilateral talks with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.The remark came as the two leaders held their first face-to-face meeting in over 16 months, with discussions spanning trade, defence, regional security and the evolving situation in West Asia.During the meeting, PM Modi also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and the safety of Indian seafarers amid tensions in the region.“We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured… Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important,” PM Modi said, adding that he hoped any agreement involving Iran would prioritise the safety of seafarers.