Trump Balances Praise and Concern on India-US Relations
Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday struck a careful balance between reaffirming the strength of India-US relations and expressing unease about certain policy choices made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Responding to a question from Asian News International (ANI) about whether he was ready to reset relations with India, Trump stated firmly, “I always will. I’ll always be friends with (PM) Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion.”
The comment underscores Trump’s recognition of India’s strategic importance for the United States while simultaneously reflecting his concerns about New Delhi’s evolving foreign and trade policies.
Concerns Over India’s Energy Deals With Russia
The president’s remarks follow a controversial statement he had made earlier on his social media platform Truth Social, where he suggested that the US had “lost” both India and Russia to China. When pressed about this, Trump clarified his position. “I don’t think we have. I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that,” he said.
Trump revealed that his administration had imposed a 50 percent tariff on certain Indian goods, a move aimed at addressing what he described as trade imbalances. Despite these trade frictions, he emphasized his strong personal rapport with Modi, recalling their joint press conference at the White House Rose Garden earlier this year.
Trade Talks and Disputes With the European Union
Trump also addressed broader trade issues, asserting that negotiations with India and other partners were progressing positively. However, he voiced sharp criticism of the European Union’s recent fine of USD 3.5 billion on Google for alleged anti-competitive practices in the advertising technology sector.
“They are going great. Other countries are doing great. We are doing great with all of them. We’re upset with the European Union over what’s happening with not just Google but with all of our big countries,” Trump said. He accused the EU of unfairly targeting American tech giants, warning that his administration would not allow what he described as “discriminatory action” to stand.
India Responds: Strategic Partnership Remains Intact
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded cautiously but affirmatively to Trump’s remarks. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the significance of the India-US partnership, calling it a “comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties.”
Jaiswal further underlined that the bilateral relationship had weathered transitions and challenges in the past and would continue to move forward. “We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to, and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests,” he said.
The MEA also confirmed that India remained engaged with Washington on trade issues, signaling New Delhi’s intent to sustain cooperation despite occasional disagreements.
The Bigger Geopolitical Picture
Trump’s comments come at a sensitive moment in global geopolitics. With the United States seeking to counter China’s growing influence, India remains a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific strategy. At the same time, India has expanded trade and energy relations with Russia, a move that has raised concerns in Washington.
Observers note that while Trump’s public expressions of frustration highlight tensions, his repeated affirmations of friendship with Modi indicate that Washington is unlikely to allow temporary disagreements to derail the broader strategic partnership.
Conclusion
Trump’s remarks reflect the duality of India-US relations under his administration—marked by strong personal ties between leaders and a recognition of shared strategic interests, but occasionally strained by differences on trade and foreign policy. As both countries continue navigating these complexities, the durability of the partnership will depend on how effectively New Delhi and Washington balance their national interests with their shared vision for a stable global order.
