Dellhi: In a welcome sign of improving ties between India and the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to a social media post by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, indicating a possible thaw in their bilateral relations. Modi expressed optimism about the future of India-US trade talks and the potential for a deeper partnership between the two nations.
“India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Prime Minister’s comments were a direct response to President Trump’s statement earlier this week on Truth Social. Trump had expressed confidence that the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries would reach a successful conclusion, despite previous tensions.
“I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two nations,” Trump wrote in his post on Tuesday. He further described his strong bond with Modi, stating, “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!”
This exchange between the two leaders signals a shift in the tone of their diplomatic relations, which have recently been strained by issues such as tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil. The US had raised concerns over India’s reliance on Russian crude oil, and President Trump had previously imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, citing the trade imbalance. India, in turn, had labeled the tariffs “unfair” and “unjustified.”
Tensions were further heightened when Trump, earlier this year, doubled the tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% additional duty on oil imports from Russia. These actions had led to months of critical rhetoric between the two nations. However, President Trump softened his stance during a recent interaction with the media, where he acknowledged the longstanding friendship between him and Prime Minister Modi.
“I always will. I’ll always be friends with Modi, he’s a great Prime Minister. He’s great. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he’s doing at this particular moment,” Trump said in an interview last Friday. He also emphasized that despite occasional disagreements, India and the US share a “special relationship.”
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Modi expressed appreciation for the positive assessment of the India-US relationship. “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,” Modi said. “India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”
While both countries have had differences, particularly on the issue of India’s oil purchases from Russia, the recent exchange suggests that both leaders are keen to move forward and deepen their cooperation. India’s decision to buy discounted Russian oil was driven by national interest and market conditions, as Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump had earlier criticized India’s energy procurement decisions, calling it “disappointing” that the country was purchasing large quantities of Russian oil. “We put a very big tariff on India, 50 per cent tariff, very high tariff,” Trump said. “But India and the United States have a special relationship. There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion.”
Trump’s recent social media post, which included a photo of Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, reflected his concerns about India’s growing ties with both Russia and China. His comment, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China,” came just days after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where Modi, Xi, and Putin shared a moment of camaraderie that attracted global attention.
Despite these challenges, both Modi and Trump have indicated that their countries can work through differences and strengthen their partnership. The ongoing trade talks and the potential for closer collaboration between India and the US come at a time when both countries are looking to counter China’s growing influence in the region and the world.
With the leadership of both countries signaling a willingness to put past disagreements behind them, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in shaping the future trajectory of India-US relations.
