Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed the “very positive” state of relations with the United States, responding to recent comments from US President Donald Trump. This exchange comes after Trump had softened his earlier claims about India moving closer to China. The situation unfolds amid existing frictions over trade, oil imports, and shifting geopolitical allegiances.
In a social media statement, Modi expressed that he “deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.” He further added that India and the US share “a very positive and forward-looking comprehensive and global strategic partnership.”
Earlier, Trump had created speculation of a rift by suggesting that India and Russia seemed “lost” to China. He had shared a photo of Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, implying a new alignment.
Later, Trump walked back his statement, saying, “I don’t think we have [lost India]. I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. And I let them know that.” He emphasized his continued friendship with Modi and the “special relationship” between their two nations.
Tensions between New Delhi and Washington have been escalating since the Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian imports, accusing India of indirectly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine through its purchases of Russian oil.
At the same time, Trump has expressed frustration over his inability to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Modi’s attendance at the SCO summit marked his first visit to China in seven years, a move widely perceived as a thaw in relations between the two Asian powers. His participation alongside Xi and Putin raised concerns in Washington about India’s delicate balancing act between different global alliances.
Trump also appeared irritated after New Delhi dismissed his claims of “Nobel Prize-worthy diplomacy” for mediating peace in Kashmir. India has consistently rejected any third-party involvement in the dispute, a stance that has contributed to recent diplomatic coolness between the two countries.
