Trump Affirms Lasting Bond with Modi Amid India-U.S. Tensions

6th September 2025 at 9:04 AM

1 minute read

The Prime Minister’s Office will convene a high-level meeting on August 26 to review measures for Indian exporters facing the impact of higher tariffs in the United States.

Washington, September 6, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the enduring strength of India-U.S. relations, describing them as a “special relationship” and affirming his personal friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump addressed concerns about recent strains in bilateral ties, stating, “I’ll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi… He’s a great Prime Minister. There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion.” His comments, reported by ANI, came in response to questions about resetting relations with India amid ongoing trade disputes.

Trump expressed disappointment over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, noting that the U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in response. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia, and I let them know that,” he said, referencing a recent White House press conference with Modi. Despite these tensions, Trump remained optimistic about trade negotiations, stating that discussions with India and other nations are progressing well.

The remarks follow Trump’s earlier post on Truth Social, where he suggested that the U.S. had “lost” India and Russia to China after Modi’s appearance with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Indian officials, speaking anonymously to The Hindu, described the U.S. tariff actions as a “miscalculation” of India’s independent foreign policy. The Ministry of External Affairs has not officially responded to Trump’s comments.

Trump’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, Peter Navarro, echoed concerns about India’s oil purchases, claiming in a post on X that India’s high tariffs harm U.S. jobs. Despite these frictions, Trump highlighted his personal rapport with Modi, recalling their joint appearance at the White House Rose Garden. The upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York may provide an opportunity for further dialogue to address these challenges.