There may have been some frostiness in ties between India and the US, but the camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump was on full display during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
The same Trump who once labelled India a "hellhole" and a "dead economy" turned the meeting, their first in over a year, into a praise-a-thon for PM Modi, describing him as a "tough trader" and as nice as an "angel".
The joint press conference after the talks seemed to hark back to the 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump' days, with the US President showering praise on his "friend" PM Modi. Trump even went so far as to say that "if anybody attacks that man, we're going to be there", in what appeared to be a subtle message to Pakistan.
The eccentric US President said both sides were close to finalising a trade deal, which has been under negotiation since February, when Trump and Modi announced a framework agreement.
The biggest takeaway, however, was Trump's assertion that Washington would always stand by New Delhi despite the absence of a formal defence pact between the two countries.
"We don't have a formal (defence) contract... But if they (India) were attacked, we would be there to help," Trump said.
The issue appeared to feature prominently during their discussions, as Trump once again described Modi as a tough "trader" and "negotiator" — phrases he has often used to highlight the Prime Minister's reputation as a strong operator behind the scenes.
During the interaction, Trump remarked that PM Modi's appearance often catches people off guard.
"He's a very tough negotiator... You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel," Trump said.
The US President was quick to add that Modi's gentle appearance should not be mistaken for weakness.
"Actually, he's as tough as he is a killer... But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise. There are a few people like this. People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader," Trump said, drawing chuckles from PM Modi.
In a light-hearted moment, he added, "Now, if there is a new leader, I am not sure about it. But if they are attacked and he (Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help."
On his part, PM Modi raised concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers, days after three Indian sailors were killed in US strikes in the Gulf of Oman.
Last week, US forces enforcing a naval blockade struck three commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian seafarers.
The incident came as a fresh setback to hopes of recalibrating ties amid strains over tariffs and immigration policies, particularly issues surrounding the H-1B visa programme that have affected Indian students and workers in the US.
The Prime Minister underlined that "lakhs of Indians" work as seafarers and stressed that their safety remains a key priority amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
Trump offered his condolences and said both countries were working together on the issue.
"It is a rough profession. We are working together on it," he said.
The US President also dismissed speculation of any bad blood between the two leaders.
"We cannot be closer than we are — both he and I, and our nations. But it really starts with the two of us; we cannot be closer," Trump said.
