Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democratic lawmaker from Michigan, has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “very charismatic leader” and called for India’s decade of progress to be recognised and celebrated across the United States. Thanedar made the remarks in an exclusive interview from Washington on 16 July.

Thanedar on Modi and Trump

The Congressman spoke warmly about the relationship between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, describing it as one built on mutual regard. “President Trump and Modi share very good relations. Modi is a very charismatic leader, and he has very good relations with everyone,” Thanedar said.

He recalled the large-scale receptions Prime Minister Modi received during earlier visits to the United States, citing events in New York, Houston, and Washington, D.C. as evidence of the Prime Minister’s standing among the Indian-American community and beyond.

A Personal Meeting During the State Visit

Thanedar recounted a personal conversation with Prime Minister Modi during the latter’s state visit to Washington when Joe Biden was President—a visit that included a formal state dinner in Modi’s honour. “I was with Modi that day, and we had a long conversation,” he said.

According to Thanedar, Prime Minister Modi urged him to help members of the US Congress better understand India’s diversity and development trajectory. “Modi told me: ‘Tell the members of Congress what India is like,’” Thanedar recalled. “India has different kinds of people. They speak different languages and eat different kinds of food, but they live together, and India continues to progress,” he added.

Congressional Delegations to India

The Congressman said Prime Minister Modi had personally invited him to bring members of Congress to India so they could witness the country’s transformation firsthand. Thanedar confirmed he had previously led a Congressional delegation to India and was planning another bipartisan visit with both Republican and Democratic colleagues.

“The mission of this delegation is to show them the progress taking place in India, how the lives of poor people are improving and how India has progressed over the past 10 years to become the fifth-largest economy,” he said.

India as a Future Economic Powerhouse

Thanedar predicted that India would rise to become the world’s third-largest economy within a few years—a projection broadly aligned with forecasts from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and major investment banks. “All this should be celebrated,” he said.

He also framed a stronger India-US partnership as strategically important in responding to China, arguing that the two democracies must work in concert. “India and the United States should work together and confront China,” Thanedar said. “My relations with Modi are very good, and I will continue working to ensure good relations between our two countries.”

Thanedar’s remarks come as diplomatic and economic ties between New Delhi and Washington continue to deepen, with defence, technology, and trade cooperation high on the bilateral agenda.