‘Will take appropriate action’: India on Trump’s purported remarks on PM Modi’s political career

Amid the controversy over a viral video purportedly showing US President Donald Trump making remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political career, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said that India will take “appropriate action” if the video is found authentic.

Addressing the weekly presser, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that he has not personally seen the video but assured that the government will take action after examining the authenticity of the video.

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“I have not seen the video. But if indeed there is such a video, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it,” Jaiswal said in response to a media query.

Earlier this week, US President Trump, while speaking to reporters in the White House, purportedly said that PM Modi “loves” him but added that the word “love” should not be taken any differently, as he doesn’t want to “destroy” Modi’s political career.

“Modi is a great man. He loves Trump,” the US president had said, adding, “I don’t want you to take the word ‘love’ any differently. I don’t want to destroy his political career.”

His remarks came against the backdrop of a trade deal between India and the US. The deal, announced by Trump earlier this month, has come under scrutiny after the opposition Congress claimed that it was signed by PM Modi under pressure and would hurt the interests of 1.5 billion Indians.

#WATCH | On US President Donald Trump’s alleged remarks on PM Modi’s political career, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “…I have not seen the video. But if indeed there is such a video, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it.” pic.twitter.com/C7lH30r4Rk

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2026

‘New Delhi examining US proposal to join the Board of Peace’

Meanwhile, the MEA has also clarified that India received an invitation from the US  to join President Trump’s Board of Peace, which was initially part of his Gaza peace plan, but its scope was later expanded. Jaiswal said that while India has always supported efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in West Asia, the proposal is currently being examined.

“We have received an invitation from the US side to join the Board of Peace. We are currently examining the proposal. As you know, India has consistently supported efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia. Our PM has welcomed the initiative that provides a pathway towards long-term and sustainable peace in the region, including Gaza,” the MEA spokesperson added.

He also addressed the issue of Indian sailors detained in Iran. Jaiswal informed that India has received the consular access to its nationals, and efforts are on to secure their release.

“Of the 16 people, 8 have been released. The process to bring back those 8 people was being undertaken. From what I was told, they reached India yesterday, or they will reach today…Indian Embassy there is in contact with the Govt there for the remaining 8,” he stated.

Jaiswal also reacted to the UN report that flagged the role of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in the blast near Red Fort in 2025. “On the report of the monitoring team, this particular report is available in the public domain. This was the 37th report of the Analytical and Support Sanctions Monitoring Team, published on 4th February 2026. We have seen that they have taken on board India’s inputs regarding our concerns on cross-border terrorism and also as to how we can strengthen the global fight against terrorism.”