Lex Fridman's podcast: PM Modi recalls Trump's 'remarkable gesture' that touched him

In a free-wheeling chat with acclaimed US podcaster Lex Fridman, PM Narendra Modi talked at length about the special bond he shares with President Donald Trump. He recounted an incident during the 'Howdy Modi' event held in 2019, at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States, and mentioned how Trump's heartwarming gesture truly touched him.
When asked to comment on what he likes about Trump as a friend and as a leader, Modi narrated an incident that spoke of American President's courage, and which left him amazed.
"After finishing my speech, I stepped down and as we all know, security in the US is extremely strict and thorough. The level of scrutiny there is on a completely different level. I went over to thank him and casually said, 'If you don’t mind, why don’t we take a lap around the stadium? There are so many people here. Let’s walk, wave and greet them,'" Modi said narrating the incident that also made him realise the strong bond the two leaders shared.

"In American life, it’s almost impossible for the President to walk into a crowd of thousands, but without even a moment’s hesitation, he agreed and started walking with me. His entire security detail was thrown off guard, but for me that moment was truly touching," he continued.
Modi said that it amazed him that he didn't even ask security before walking amid crowd. "In American life, it’s almost impossible for the President to walk into a crowd of thousands, but without even a moment’s hesitation, he agreed and started walking with me. His entire security detail was thrown off guard, but for me that moment was truly touching," he said.

"It showed me that this man had courage. He makes his own decisions, but also he trusted me and my lead in that moment enough to have walked with me into the crowd. It was that sense of mutual trust, a strong bond between us that I truly witnessed on that day and the way I saw President Trump that day walking into a crowd of thousands without even asking security, it was truly amazing. And if you watch the video now, you’ll be amazed," Modi added.

PM Narendra Modi said that he saw the same resilient and determined side of Trump when he was shot during the recent campaign.

"Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. His reflection showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first. I stand for India first and that’s why we connect so well. These are the things that truly resonate. And I believe that across the world politicians are covered so much by the media that people mostly perceive each other through its lens. People rarely get the chance to truly meet or personally know one another and perhaps third-party intervention is the real cause of tensions," Modi said during the podcast.