After months of issuing stern warnings about India’s continued reliance on Russian oil imports, United States President Donald Trump has now shifted to a more conciliatory stance, signaling optimism about the progress of trade talks with New Delhi. Trump suggested that the ongoing negotiations were moving in a positive direction and predicted that both sides would be able to reach an agreement that benefits their respective economies within the coming weeks. This change in tone stands in marked contrast to his earlier criticisms, where he had accused India of undermining Western sanctions on Moscow by purchasing discounted Russian crude.
On Tuesday, Trump went further in softening his rhetoric by making a public statement that reflected warmth towards India and its leadership. He emphasized that discussions were actively taking place to address the trade barriers that have strained ties between the two nations, while expressing confidence in achieving what he described as a “successful conclusion” for both Washington and New Delhi. His language suggested a deliberate attempt to de-escalate tensions and restore trust in the bilateral relationship, which in recent months had been tested by tariff hikes, oil disputes, and clashing positions over the Ukraine crisis.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump underlined his personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as his “very good friend” and indicating his intention to hold direct conversations in the near future. In his message, he wrote that he was “pleased to announce” the continuation of trade negotiations aimed at addressing long-standing economic barriers, while also reiterating his conviction that such talks would end without difficulty in a way that strengthens both democracies. By framing the matter as one of shared greatness and partnership, Trump appeared to be signaling to both domestic and international audiences that the US-India relationship remains strategically indispensable.
Observers have noted that these remarks represent a sharp departure from Trump’s recent rhetoric. Until just weeks ago, he had been pressing the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on Indian and Chinese goods as part of a broader plan to exert financial pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to compromise over the ongoing war in Ukraine. His criticisms extended beyond tariffs, with repeated accusations that India was shielding its domestic markets and exploiting its relationship with the United States. Trump had further complained that Washington’s engagement with New Delhi had been “one-sided,” suggesting that the US was giving more than it was receiving in the partnership.
The rhetoric was also fueled by Trump’s advisers. Peter Navarro, a close trade strategist, had intensified these criticisms by directly linking India to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Navarro controversially described the crisis as “Modi’s war,” branding India an “oil money laundromat” and even a “strategic freeloader.” Such comments risked aggravating diplomatic tensions and deepening mistrust between the two nations. At one point, Trump himself went so far as to suggest that India, along with Russia, may have been “lost” to Chinese influence, particularly after Prime Minister Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.
Despite these sharp exchanges, Trump soon recalibrated his tone. He praised Prime Minister Modi as a “great prime minister” and reiterated that the United States and India would “always be friends,” highlighting the enduring nature of the strategic partnership. Modi reciprocated this gesture by publicly acknowledging Trump’s remarks and expressing his “deep appreciation” for the positive assessment of bilateral ties. This back-and-forth underscores the fluctuating yet resilient character of the relationship, which, despite friction, remains anchored in shared democratic values and mutual strategic interests.
The trade dispute has nevertheless inflicted real economic costs. In retaliation for India’s oil policies, Washington last month doubled tariffs on Indian exports, raising them to 50 percent. The move came after India refused to scale back its Russian crude imports despite repeated warnings from the United States. Although India countered by offering to eliminate tariffs on American goods altogether, Trump dismissed this offer as “too late,” signaling the seriousness with which Washington regarded the issue.
India’s Chief Economic Adviser, V. Anantha Nageswaran, issued a sobering assessment, warning that these elevated duties could reduce the country’s GDP growth by as much as half a percentage point over the current year. Meanwhile, trade figures reveal the high stakes of this ongoing dispute. According to data from the US Census Bureau, trade in goods between the two nations reached USD 129 billion in 2024, with the United States running a deficit of USD 45.8 billion. These numbers highlight both the opportunities and tensions embedded in one of the world’s most important economic partnerships.
