Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest interaction with US President Donald Trump has injected a sense of optimism into India-US ties, which have been rattled in recent weeks by Washington’s imposition of steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports. The exchange, marked by warm words on both sides, comes at a time when trade negotiations remain stalled, and bilateral relations have been under strain from sharp rhetoric and conflicting positions on global issues such as the Ukraine war.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi described India and the United States as “close friends and natural partners,” underscoring his belief that trade talks, once concluded, could unlock the “limitless potential” of the partnership. He assured that both sides were working to wrap up negotiations at the earliest, while also welcoming President Trump’s conciliatory gesture. Modi further expressed his desire to speak with Trump soon and affirmed that both nations would continue to collaborate for a “brighter, more prosperous future” for their people.
The response followed Trump’s post on Truth Social, in which he struck a notably positive tone. Referring to Modi as a “dear friend,” he conveyed confidence that the ongoing trade discussions would eventually reach a successful conclusion. Trump added that he expected to speak with the Indian leader in the coming weeks, signaling a willingness to reset ties that had grown tense.
The renewed warmth between the two leaders is significant given the backdrop of Washington’s punitive tariffs, which were introduced over India’s discounted oil purchases from Russia. This dispute has cast a shadow over the possibility of a broader trade agreement, with the United States pressing for greater access to Indian agricultural and dairy markets, a demand that remains a firm red line for New Delhi. Trump’s latest outreach also contrasts sharply with his administration’s earlier criticism, when aides branded India as the “Kremlin’s laundromat” and even labeled the Ukraine war “Modi’s war.”
Just days earlier, Trump himself had complained that Washington had “lost” India to “the darkest China” after images from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit showed Modi engaged in friendly exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yet, by the end of the week, the US President softened his stance, calling ties with India “special” and highlighting his personal bond with Modi. The Prime Minister, for his part, said he “appreciates and fully reciprocates” Trump’s sentiments, emphasizing continuity in high-level dialogue.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had earlier joined in the criticism of India’s oil trade with Russia, also moderated his tone, suggesting that although differences persist, the resilience of the relationship would ultimately prevail. “At the end of the day, two great countries will get this solved,” he remarked. His comments added weight to the growing perception that Washington’s approach was shifting from hostility to accommodation.
Nevertheless, not all voices in the American establishment appear aligned with this recalibration. White House advisor Peter Navarro has maintained a hard line, repeatedly accusing India of facilitating Russia’s oil trade, and even resorting to rhetoric described as both inflammatory and racially insensitive. This sharp divergence of tone—between Trump and Bessent on one hand, and Navarro on the other—illustrates what observers see as a “good cop, bad cop” dynamic within Washington’s India policy.
For India, the US’s fluctuating signals have only reinforced the importance of diversifying its diplomatic and economic engagements. The Modi government continues to deepen cooperation with Russia and China and has leaned on multilateral forums like the SCO to counter what it views as unpredictable pressure from Washington. Even as Modi and Trump exchange warm words, New Delhi remains cautious, balancing its pursuit of strategic autonomy with efforts to preserve its most important global partnership.
