Washington D.C.: In a surprising turn of tone, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his strong personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just hours after raising concerns over India’s oil trade with Russia and announcing steep tariffs on Indian imports.
Trump had earlier sparked debate with a post on Truth Social featuring a photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and PM Modi, with a caption that suggested the US had “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China.” The remark drew criticism and speculation about a shift in Washington’s strategic alignment in South Asia.
However, during a follow-up interaction, Trump downplayed the implications of the post, saying, “I don’t think we’ve lost India. I’ve always had a good relationship with Prime Minister Modi. He was here recently, and we had a great time.” He did, however, voice his disappointment over India’s increasing energy ties with Russia. “We let them know we were not happy about that,” Trump added.
This comes on the heels of new US tariffs on Indian goods, a 50 percent levy that took effect on August 27. According to Trump, the duties were, in part, a response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil despite global efforts to isolate Moscow economically following the Ukraine conflict.
Still, Trump emphasized that the foundation of India-US relations remains strong. “I will always be friends with Modi. He’s a terrific leader. I just don’t like what he’s doing at the moment. But there’s nothing to worry about. India and the US have a special relationship,” Trump said, striking a conciliatory note.
The Trump administration’s posture has recently become more critical of India, with former officials like Peter Navarro and Scott Bessent making pointed comments about India’s economic policies. Navarro, in particular, faced backlash for his controversial statement suggesting India’s elite were “profiteering at the expense of the Indian people.” India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly rejected the comment, calling it “inaccurate and unacceptable.”
Despite the rhetoric and recent economic friction, trade talks between India and the United States are ongoing. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated recently that the negotiations require “patience and persistence,” and cautioned against expecting immediate results. “There’s no fixed timeline for these kinds of discussions,” he said, emphasizing that relations between the two countries remain fundamentally strong.
As the U.S. heads into another presidential election season, Trump’s calibrated tone suggests he may be seeking to balance domestic policy narratives with long-standing international partnerships, particularly with strategic allies like India.
