Those who do not feel proud about US President Donald Trump’s description of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “Father of India” do perhaps not consider themselves Indians, Union minister Jitendra Singh suggested on Wednesday.

“If an impartial and bold statement comes from America and its President, then I feel every Indian should feel proud regardless of his political affiliations with any party or ideology,” said Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office.

“This is the first time that an American President has used this kind of words of praise, not (just) for an Indian Prime Minister but for any other world leader, and if someone is not proud of this, then maybe he does not consider himself Indian.”

Trump had on Tuesday said in New York: “I remember India before was very torn. There was a lot of dissension, fighting — and he brought it all together. Like a father would. Maybe he is the Father of India.”