Trump-Modi Friendship Strains as U.S.-India Tensions Rise/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Once warm allies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump now face mounting friction over tariffs, oil imports, and U.S. ties with Pakistan. Trump’s harsh rhetoric and economic penalties have sparked growing concerns in India. Experts warn the strained relationship may jeopardize decades of strategic cooperation.
India-U.S. Diplomatic Rift Quick Looks
- Modi and Trump once shared close diplomatic friendship
- Tariffs and oil trade with Russia fuel U.S. anger
- Trump slaps 25% tariff and criticizes India’s economy
- U.S. tilts toward Pakistan, igniting Indian concern
- Kashmir mediation claims stir diplomatic backlash in New Delhi
- Trump accuses India of profiting from Russian oil
- Modi administration responds with cautious but firm rhetoric
- India’s opposition demands answers on Kashmir and tariffs
- Experts call situation “testing time” for bilateral ties
- Trade deal hopes in jeopardy amid rising tensions
Deep Look: Modi-Trump Alliance Wavers as U.S.-India Relations Hit Diplomatic Crossroads
NEW DELHI — What once looked like an unbreakable political bromance between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump is now wobbling under the weight of economic penalties, diplomatic missteps, and diverging geopolitical interests.
Public embraces and shared populist rhetoric once characterized the Modi-Trump dynamic. Now, escalating trade tensions and a perceived U.S. pivot toward Pakistan have cast a shadow over what was hailed as a historic U.S.-India partnership.
Trade War Over Tariffs and Oil
The most recent flashpoint erupted when Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s ongoing oil imports from Russia as a breach of expected cooperation during the Ukraine conflict. Trump further intensified matters with a Truth Social post, accusing India of “profiting off Russian war oil” and suggesting the country is indifferent to the toll of the war in Ukraine.
In a blow to Indian pride, Trump labeled India’s economy “dead,” comments that rattled markets and drew a measured yet firm response from New Delhi.
“This is a testing time for the relationship,” said Ashok Malik, a former Indian Foreign Ministry adviser, who now leads The Asia Group’s India division.
Pakistan Pivot and Kashmir Tensions
Beyond tariffs, many in New Delhi are alarmed by what they see as Trump’s growing affinity for Pakistan, India’s nuclear-armed rival. The tension escalated earlier this year following clashes in Kashmir that nearly ignited a regional war. Despite the conflict easing under international pressure, Trump’s claim that he mediated peace between the nations has irked Modi’s administration.
Modi, who has worked to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, faces domestic pressure to reject any notion of third-party interference in the Kashmir issue. Trump, meanwhile, hosted a top Pakistani military leader for a private lunch and announced a massive oil deal with Islamabad, implying India may one day have to purchase fuel from its longtime adversary.
“Trump’s sudden admiration for Pakistan as a counterterror partner has soured Indian sentiment,” said Sreeram Chaulia of the Jindal School of International Affairs.
India’s Russian Oil Dependency Sparks Criticism
Trump’s administration has reignited frustration over India’s purchase of Russian oil, accusing the nation of indirectly funding the war in Ukraine. Though India had previously negotiated this point with the Biden administration, Trump’s public comments have brought the issue roaring back.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused India of breaching wartime ethics by trading with Russia. On Monday, Trump repeated that India was “buying massive amounts of Russian oil” and “reselling it for profit.”
India countered, stating the purchases were a necessity after Western sanctions redirected oil flows toward Europe. In a pointed statement, India said:
“It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.”
Strategic Trust at Risk
With U.S.-India ties built over 25 years of bipartisan diplomacy, the current rift could mark a turning point. Modi’s government has walked a delicate line—defending national interests while attempting to salvage a trade agreement with Trump’s administration.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called for a “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreement,” signaling India’s willingness to negotiate despite public provocation. However, as opposition leaders question Modi’s silence on Trump’s Kashmir comments, the pressure is mounting.
Experts warn that strategic cooperation may be at stake.
“Fast and loose statements put years of trust at risk,” Malik noted. “India offered its most expansive trade deal ever, and it’s being sidelined by social media antics.”
Future Uncertain, But Not Final
Despite rising diplomatic friction, some analysts believe the tensions could be temporary.
“With Trump, everything can swing dramatically,” said Chaulia. “It could be confrontation today and handshakes tomorrow.”
Whether this rift evolves into a long-term rupture or simply another bump in the road of great-power diplomacy will depend largely on how both countries navigate the final months of trade negotiations and geopolitical maneuvering.
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