4 hours ago
1
Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s recent remark that he would "always be friends" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian leader said on Saturday that he “deeply appreciates” and “fully reciprocates” the President’s sentiments and “positive assessment” of India-US ties.
In a post on X, PM Modi described the India-US partnership as "very positive and forward-looking," calling it a “comprehensive and global strategic partnership.” His remarks mark the first public response to Trump amid a growing trade rift between the two nations.
Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.
Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source
India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.@realDonaldTrump @POTUS https://t.co/4hLo9wBpeF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2025
Trade tensions strain India-US relations
President Trump’s comments came days after Washington imposed additional tariffs on Indian imports. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump acknowledged PM Modi as a “great prime minister” and reiterated their personal rapport. “I’ll always be friends with Modi… He’s great. But I just don’t like what he’s doing at this particular moment,” Trump said, referring to trade-related disagreements.
The US had imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent base tariff followed by an additional 25 per cent, citing India’s ongoing trade with Russia--particularly in oil. India slammed the move as “unjustified,” accusing the US of penalising it unfairly for maintaining independent trade relations.
Trump alleges shift towards China amid SCO summit optics
On Friday, tensions escalated further after Trump claimed the US had “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China.” His statement came in the wake of a high-profile trilateral meeting between Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in Tianjin.
“Looks like we have lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
India declines to engage in war of words
Despite the provocative tone of Trump’s social media post, the Indian government refrained from issuing any official response. New Delhi has maintained that its foreign relations are guided by strategic autonomy and national interest, distancing itself from bloc politics even as it strengthens ties with global powers.
The episode marks a new low in the ongoing trade dispute between the two democracies, though leaders on both sides continue to signal the underlying strength of their bilateral relationship.
English (US) ·