Washington, D.C. (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump has clarified recent remarks that appeared to criticize India’s growing ties with Russia and China, insisting that his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains strong despite rising trade tensions.
Just days after imposing a steep 50% tariff on a range of Indian imports — a move interpreted as a response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil — Trump struck a more diplomatic tone, calling PM Modi a “great Prime Minister” and reiterating his respect for the India-U.S. partnership.
The shift comes after Trump posted an image on Truth Social showing Modi alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the caption: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” The post stirred speculation about a rift between New Delhi and Washington.
Pressed to elaborate on the post, Trump told reporters, “I don’t believe we’ve lost India. I was disappointed about their oil purchases from Russia — and we made that clear. But Modi and I have a very strong relationship. He was in the U.S. just a few months ago, and we had excellent discussions.”
While Trump acknowledged disagreements over India’s energy strategy, he stressed that the broader bilateral relationship remains intact. “I’ll always be friends with Modi. He’s done a lot for India, and I respect that. But sometimes friends disagree,” he added.
The newly implemented tariffs, which took effect on August 27, have added pressure to an already complicated trade landscape between the two nations. According to sources, half of the new duties directly target sectors linked to India’s growing trade with Russia, particularly in energy.
The Trump-aligned political camp has also seen vocal criticism of India in recent weeks. Peter Navarro, a former Trump trade adviser, drew sharp condemnation from Indian officials after accusing the country’s Brahmin elite of exploiting the public for profit. India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed his comments as “factually incorrect and unhelpful.”
Despite these challenges, ongoing trade negotiations continue behind the scenes. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently stated that both sides remain committed to resolving differences, urging patience in the process. “Such talks don’t happen overnight. What matters is the intent, and I believe both nations want to find common ground,” Goyal said.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts and the U.S. election season heats up, Trump’s nuanced remarks suggest a balancing act between enforcing a hardline economic agenda and maintaining ties with key global partners like India. While tariffs and trade disputes remain contentious issues, the personal rapport between Trump and Modi appears to be one of the few constants in an evolving diplomatic equation.
