Trump meets Modi, says he hopes US, China, India, Russia can all ‘get along’

Bilateral talks yield trade commitments and promises on F-35 jets, as well as praise for the Quad partnership

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: X/ narendramodi

Published: 1:09am, 14 Feb 2025Updated: 4:05pm, 14 Feb 2025

Standing alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday, US President Donald Trump referred to China as a “very important player in the world”, adding that Beijing could play a key role in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“I got along with [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping] very, very well. We were very close. As leaders go, I don’t want to be naive. As leaders go, I think we were very close,” Trump said at a joint press conference with Modi on Thursday.

“China is a very important player in the world. I think they can help us get this war over with Ukraine and Russia.”

Trump said that he next planned a meeting with Xi to discuss denuclearisation – something he claimed both Russia and China were open to during his first term as US president.

“I’m going to meet with China, and I’m going to meet with Russia and we’re going to see if we can de-escalate it … especially as it pertains to nuclear,” he said.

Asked how he envisioned India’s role in the Ukraine peace process and in tackling China, Trump said he hoped that “China, India, Russia, the US, and all of us can get along. It’s very important.”

Trump also reminded the large crowd of reporters gathered in the White House that he had revived the Quadrilateral security partnership with India, Australia and Japan during his first term of office.