While ending his four-day US visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is an astute politician, left behind a gift for his host, President Joe Biden: a resounding endorsement.
"Over the last three days, we have been together continuously," Modi said on Friday in his address to a packed auditorium of Indian-Americans who had travelled from all over the US.
Modi was at the White House for a private dinner on Wednesday, the day he arrived here from New York, and the whole of next morning, starting with a ceremonial reception, which was followed by bilateral talks and a new conference where they both took questions from reporters.
"We have had frank discussions over a whole host of issues, and I say this from experience that he is a 'suljhe hue anubhavi neta'," Modi said using a colloquial Hindi phrase that roughly translates to "he is a wise and experienced leader".
The comment was greeted with loud applause.
"Bharat, American partnership ko ek nai uchai per le janey wale, wyaktigat roop se, unka bahut prayas raha hai aur mein, sarwajank roop se, unke in prayason ki sarahan karta hoon," the Prime Minister pressed on in Hindi about his personal impression of the US President based on their many meetings in private and public over the past few days.
That would translate roughly to: "He (President Biden) has been personally responsible for driving the India-US relationship to new heights and I publicly commend him for his efforts."
The Prime Minister is very popular in the Indian American community and he has sought to cultivate this constituency as a pillar of the broader relationship between the two countries.
But he has also used it to weigh in in presidential elections.
Prime Minister Modi had sought a second term for former President Donald Trump at a joint appearance in a rally of Indian-Americans in Houston in 2019, called the "Howdy Mody" event.
It didn't help. Trump lost.
There are an estimated 4.5 million people in the US of Indian descent. They include this reporter, who has lived in the US for 13 years but remains an Indian citizen.
Less than a quarter of these Indian-Americans vote, but many of them donate heavily to their political party of choice, which has been the Democratic party traditionally.
But polls show some Indian Americans are gravitating towards the Republican party, although their numbers remain statistically insignificant.
Close to 70 per cent of Indian-Americans identify themselves as either Democratic or leaning-Democratic, according to polls.
And Biden has the support of most Indian-Americans, both donors and voters. But the Prime Minister's endorsement of the US president, who is seeking a second term, could stanch the flow of Indian-Americans to the Republican Party, no matter who is the presidential nominee.
Modi is popular in the India- American community but there is no evidence he can influence their voting. He openly rooted for Trump in the 2020 election and he lost -- Indian Americans voted mostly for Biden, wherever they were.
Indian-American voters have acquired outsized importance in presidential elections lately, specially in the swing states that are often decided by margins of thousand or less -- such as Michigan and Wisconsin.
But there is no evidence that they look to India for guidance.
Vigil strengthened to curb illegal infiltration, human trafficking from B’desh: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state government has taken a series of steps to prevent illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, and the BSF as well as the state forces are on a strict vigil round-the-clock.
70 people convicted in 52 NDPS Act cases in Tripura: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state police have registered 52 cases and 70 people were convicted in the last three years under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.
NFR achieved key milestones in infrastructure expansion in 2024-25: Officials
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which operates in the northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar, successfully completed and commissioned 1,141.388 Route Kilometers (RKM) of electrification in 2024-25,
Govt targets to make Tripura self-reliant in fish production: Minister Sudhangshu Das
The state fishery minister Sudhangshu Das on Tuesday said that the government has targeted to make the state self-reliant in fish production and accordingly the government has taken multifaceted initiative to boost fish production in the state.
Tourism to bring alternative economy for Tripura: Sushanta in Assembly
The state tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday said that the tourism sector in the state will be the backbone of the alternative economy in the coming days. Economic and social development of the local people will be achieved through this industry, he added.
Rs. 24.46 Cr provides as aid to flood-affected farmers: Ratan
In response to an unstarred question by MLA Sudeep Sarkar, Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed comprehensive details about the arrangements made by the Farmers Welfare Department to assist flood-affected farmers in the state.
Infra development of Rs 1000 Crore for rural schools underway: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that for the development of educational infrastructure in rural areas, works amounting to approximately Rs 1000 crore are underway under various schemes.
5,520 drug users receive treatment, 612 recovers: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today informed that as of January 2025, a total of 5,520 injection drug users have received services from Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centers. Of these, 612 have completed treatment and returned to the mainstream of healthy, normal lives.