Modi Affirms Strong US Ties Following Trump’s Reassurance
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that relations with the United States remain “very positive” after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed their personal friendship and walked back earlier comments suggesting India might be aligning with China.
“deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,” Modi said in a statement posted on X on Saturday. He further emphasized that India and the US “have a very positive and forward-looking extensive and global strategic partnership.”
The exchange followed a period of strain in US-India relations, triggered by the Trump management’s imposition of tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil and its alleged contribution to Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.Speculation of a growing rift intensified when Trump remarked on Friday that India, alongside russia, appeared to have been “lost” to China.This observation came after Prime Minister Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping - marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and signaling a potential thaw in sino-Indian relations.
Trump initially posted on social media, with a photo of the three leaders together, ”Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”
However, when questioned by reporters later that day, Trump downplayed his earlier statement. “I don’t think we have,” he said, adding, “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that.”
Trump reiterated his personal connection with Modi, stating, “I will always be friends with Modi,” and asserting that India and the United States share “a special relationship.” He concluded, “There is nothing to worry about.”
Despite a historically strong bond between the two leaders, both identified as right-wing populists, recent disagreements have surfaced. Trump previously expressed frustration over India’s rejection of his claimed role in mediating peace between India and Pakistan following a period of heightened conflict in May, and India’s stance on the kashmir dispute. Trump has also voiced dissatisfaction with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, despite efforts to broker a resolution.
(Published September 6, 2025)
