'He'll Be Up, He's...': When Trump Insisted On Calling 'Friend' PM Modi At 6 AM, US Envoy Recalls Anecdote

New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday (June 29) recounted an incident in which US President Donald Trump wanted to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6 a.m., highlighting the close personal rapport between the two leaders. Delivering an address at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Gor said that Trump considers PM Modi his "friend."Underscoring the strong mutual chemistry shared by the two leaders, Gor recollected an interaction from a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held in Miami," Gor said, as quoted by ANI. The US envoys further stated that when he pointed out that it would be 6 am in India, Trump responded, "'He'll be up. He's like me." Notably, the call was made the next

day. Gor stated that the occurrence demonstrated the true dynamic of the relationship between Trump and PM Modi. "The message there, the louder message of that story is when you're friends with somebody, not everything has to be scheduled," he said.

#WATCH | Washington DC | At the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor says, "A couple months ago, I was with the President (Trump) at UFC in Miami. We were sitting backstage, and he said to me, let's call the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and I… pic.twitter.com/ebOVDGdH42

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2026

"And the president truly considers the Prime Minister a friend," Gor further added. Gor highlighted that the connection between the two leaders Sergio Gor said the rapport between the two leaders dates back to Donald Trump's first term as US President and continues to strengthen the broader strategic partnership between the two countries. "His years with the Prime Minister go back to his first term. There's warm memories of India. And so that's an incredible benefit," the US Ambassador shared.The envoy underscored that both administrations remain concentrated on delivering practical developments across trade, investment, defence and technology. "We are results driven," he pointed out, adding, "The United States wants to work hand in hand with India."He further highlighted that the next two years would be pivotal in anchoring the bilateral relationship for the next several decades."These next two years will set the relationship on a path for several decades ahead. So for everyone here who participates in this, think of this as a long-term project. This is not a one-year or two-year project, but what we sow now will continue to sustain us decades ahead," Gor explained.(With inputs from ANI)