MEA Responds After Old Trump Video on PM Modi Resurfaces Online
A resurfaced video of former US President Donald Trump making a tongue-in-cheek remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stirred fresh chatter on social media — and prompted a response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The clip, originally from October last year, has gone viral again on X, with some users portraying a snippet of Trump’s comment as a veiled “threat” toward the Indian prime minister. However, a closer look at the full footage suggests the remark was delivered in Trump’s trademark joking style rather than as a serious warning.
Still, the renewed circulation of the clip was enough to raise questions during the MEA’s weekly media briefing on Thursday.
MEA Says It Will Take “Appropriate Action”
Responding to queries from reporters, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said he had not personally viewed the video. However, he added that if such a clip exists — whether authentic or manipulated — the government would examine it and take appropriate steps.
“I haven’t seen the video,” Jaiswal said, striking a firm tone. “But if such a video exists, whether real or fake, we will take appropriate action.”
The remark signals that New Delhi is keeping an eye on how political narratives involving foreign leaders are being framed online, especially when they touch on sensitive diplomatic relationships.
What Trump Actually Said
The comments in question date back to October 15, 2025, when Trump was speaking at the White House during a period of mild friction between India and the United States. At the time, trade negotiations were under discussion, and there was also debate over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil amid Western sanctions.
During his remarks, Trump praised Modi lavishly, calling him a strong and respected leader who had stood the test of time. In his characteristic, off-the-cuff manner, Trump also said that Modi “loves Trump” — before quickly pausing to clarify.
With a grin, Trump added that he didn’t want anyone to “take the word love the wrong way” because he wouldn’t want to “ruin his political career.” The line drew laughter at the time and appeared to be delivered as a joke, consistent with Trump’s often theatrical speaking style.
However, in the clipped version now circulating online, that humorous context is missing — leading some viewers to interpret the comment as something more ominous.
Trade, Oil, and Political Optics
The backdrop to Trump’s remarks was a broader discussion about India-US ties, including trade agreements and India’s energy purchases from Russia. At one point, Trump had claimed that India assured the US it would halt Russian oil imports — a claim New Delhi did not formally endorse as a binding commitment.
Such issues often become political talking points in Washington, and Trump is known for amplifying them in dramatic fashion. But the full video suggests that his comment about Modi’s political career was part of a lighthearted aside rather than a diplomatic broadside.
Social Media Spin vs. Diplomatic Reality
In today’s digital ecosystem, context can vanish in seconds. A short clip, stripped of tone and timing, can quickly morph into something it was never meant to be.
For now, the MEA appears cautious but measured — signaling readiness to act if necessary, while not escalating the matter prematurely.
As for the original exchange, it seems less like a geopolitical flashpoint and more like another example of how political humor, when sliced into a viral snippet, can take on a life of its own.