Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday affirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a "great leader" irrespective of US President Donald Trump's endorsement, emphasising India's autonomy in shaping its foreign policy. Speaking to reporters after immersing a Lord Ganesh idol at his official residence, 'Varsha', in Mumbai, Fadnavis stated, "Whether Trump says it or not, PM Modi is great. All world leaders feel that he is a great leader... We decide our own foreign policy, and nobody can dictate it to us."

The remarks follow Trump's comments on Friday, where he called Modi a "great prime minister" and affirmed their friendship while expressing displeasure over current issues: "I'll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi... but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment." Tensions have escalated between New Delhi and Washington after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including an additional 25% for India's Russian crude oil purchases, which India deemed "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".

Fadnavis highlighted the "new India" under Modi, undeterred by US stances that "praise us and some try to pull us down," and vowed continued progress toward "Viksit Bharat". He also appealed for a peaceful conclusion to the 10-day Ganesh festival, which ended Saturday, urging citizens to bid farewell to Lord Ganesh with traditional fervour: "All of us bid goodbye to the Lord with a heavy heart and with a sense of happiness that he will return next year."

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The exchange underscores ongoing US-India trade frictions amid global geopolitical shifts, with Fadnavis reinforcing national sovereignty. 

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