Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reciprocated US President Donald Trump’s sentiment about maintaining friendship despite current bilateral tensions over trade tariffs and India’s Russian oil imports.
PM Modi reacts on Trump’s “Friends” remarks
“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2025
India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.@realDonaldTrump @POTUS https://t.co/4hLo9wBpeF
The response came after Donald Trump’s Friday remarks characterizing India-US relations as a “very special relationship” while expressing reservations about India’s current policies.
Donald Trump’s Mixed Messages amid tension
“I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion,” Trump stated, specifically referencing India’s Russian oil purchases.
The US President indicated that trade discussions with India are “going well” despite existing tensions.
Escalating Trade Disputes
Relations between the two nations have deteriorated following the Trump administration’s imposition of secondary tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil. US tariffs on Indian exports now exceed 50 percent, representing the highest tariff rate Trump has implemented alongside Brazil.
India condemned these measures as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” highlighting the strain in bilateral economic relations.
PM Modi’s Strategic Realignments in China
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China’s Tianjin, PM Modi was photographed engaging warmly with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The images showed the three leaders shaking hands, embracing, and smiling, demonstrating unity amid their respective tensions with the United States.
“Lost India to China” Controversy
Trump previously claimed the US had “lost India to China” but later clarified his position.
“I don’t think we have (lost India). I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India- 50 percent, a very high tariff. I get along very well with PM Modi, as you know. He was here a couple of months ago, in fact, we went to the Rose Garden and had a press conference,” Trump explained to media.
The diplomatic exchange reflects ongoing efforts to maintain personal relationships despite policy disagreements.
