The United States and India appear to be navigating a delicate phase in their relationship, marked by trade frictions and geopolitical balancing. After imposing a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods and criticizing New Delhi for its continued purchase of Russian oil, US President Donald Trump has recently softened his stance, signaling a possible thaw in ties. In a conciliatory tone, he remarked, “I get along very well with Modi, as you know,” in what many see as an attempt to reassure India of Washington’s commitment to the partnership.
According to noted US-China relations expert Gordon Chang, Trump’s comments represent a “walk back” from his earlier hardline rhetoric. Chang told Fox News that the partial climbdown was necessary because “we haven’t lost India to China.” He emphasized that India remains central to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy and cannot be pushed toward Beijing’s sphere of influence through excessive pressure.
Chang also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic choices as examples of India’s careful balancing act. Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, where he engaged with leaders including Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. However, he chose not to participate in China’s September 3 military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II — a symbolic event attended by leaders from Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan. By skipping the parade, Modi sent a clear message that India would not align itself fully with anti-Western blocs led by Beijing and Moscow.
The friction over tariffs remains a central issue. Trump has openly expressed disappointment over India’s reliance on Russian oil imports, describing them as unacceptable and justifying the imposition of a 50% tariff. Chang, while supporting the US decision, acknowledged that Modi’s criticism of the measure as “unfair” had merit from India’s perspective. This tension underscores the challenges in balancing strategic cooperation with economic disputes.
Despite these strains, both leaders have attempted to underscore the strength of their personal rapport. Shortly after Trump highlighted their “very strong” ties, Prime Minister Modi responded by saying he “appreciates and fully reciprocates” the sentiments. Their mutual acknowledgment suggests that while trade disputes remain unresolved, the broader strategic partnership is unlikely to be derailed, especially given the geopolitical stakes in countering China’s growing influence.
