AHMEDABAD: India and the US were “natural partners” and their ties and cooperation would play a big role in determining the world’s direction in the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Monday in an unprecedented and unabashed public celebration of the bilateral relationship.“In the 21st century, when new alignments, new competition, new challenges and new opportunities are laying the foundation of change, Indo-US ties and cooperation will play an important role in determining the world’s direction. I firmly believe India and the US are natural partners. We can make an effective contribution to peace, progress and security not just in the Indo-Pacific region but in the world as a whole,” the PM said before a crowd of over a lakh at Motera Stadium, the world’s largest cricket arena.Modi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump ’s speech hailed India and its people while taking a sunny view of ties with India. Reciprocating the optimism of his guest, the PM said, “The next phase of India-US ties is beginning... we believe in a long-term vision; bilateral economic ties and digital cooperation will grow and we will be able to fulfil our common dreams.”Earlier, in his introductory remarks before Trump spoke, Modi said, “India-US relations are no longer just another partnership, it is a far greater and closer relationship. The title of this programme, ‘namaste’, has a deep meaning. Its sense is that not just the individual but the divinity inside is being saluted.”The two speeches and, more crucially, the teeming crowds that filled Motera to its gills and lined up the entire 22km route from the airport marked a new high point in the growing bilateral ties. While it is now close to two decades since the two democracies overcame “hesitations of history” to end the long spell of estrangement, the public celebration of ties marked another peak. The advice that he should not get into a tighter clinch with Trump in the year of presidential polls in the US was no deterrent, as Modi made the throng shout “long live India-US ties” at the beginning of his speech.The continuing divergence over trade issues — something that Trump alluded to by terming Modi a “tough negotiator” — was not a dampener either.Modi referred to Trump’s comments on the US’s leading role against the so-called Islamic State and said, “In defeating terrorism, the US and the leadership of President Trump have served the cause of humanity.” He described Trump as a “singular (vilakshan) leader” and a “unique (ananya) friend of India”. The PM said it was significant that Trump was visiting India at the beginning of a new decade.Modi emphasised the upward trajectory of India-US relations and said, “Whether it is a matter of individuals or nations, the basis of their relationship is trust... to trust one another.” He quoted a Sanskrit phrase to say “friendship is where trust is unshakable” and added, “Our trust is at a historic level. I have seen this trust grow in my visits to the US. When I first met President Trump, he said India has a true friend in the White House.”The PM dwelt on several economic and welfare measures taken by the government, saying India had the biggest health assurance scheme in the world and it was also working towards accelerated financial inclusion. “Whether it is infrastructure or social sector, we are working on global benchmarks,” he added.Modi referred to laws on transgender rights, abolition of triple talaq, facilities for disabled, and maternity leave of 26 weeks for women. He also said India was the US’s largest trading partner and biggest research partner. “Ties in defence, energy, health and information technology... every area is expanding,” he said.Reciprocating Trump’s view that a growing US offered opportunities for India, he said the same was true for American investment in India. “The US will have more opportunities as India’s manufacturing grows and presents the US with new possibilities. Industry 4.0 and digital growth will mean investment for US,” he said.The PM took note of Trump’s reference to Indian icons, noting that the US president had spoken with reverence about Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and Sardar Patel . “You said a lot about the capabilities of Indian people, you spoke a lot about me, I am grateful on behalf of all Indians,” he said.