Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to ease concerns over strained relations with Washington on Saturday, declaring that New Delhi and the United States continue to share “very positive” ties. His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to reaffirm their personal friendship and downplay recent comments about “losing India” to China.
The reassurance comes against the backdrop of rising tensions, with Washington imposing tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian imports. The Biden administration has accused New Delhi of indirectly fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine through its purchases of discounted Russian oil.
Despite the friction, Modi emphasized the depth of the bilateral partnership. “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,” he wrote on X, calling the U.S.-India relationship “very positive and forward-looking” and underscoring its role as a global strategic partnership.
Trump, for his part, told reporters he will “always be friends with Modi,” insisting that “India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about.”
The U.S. president’s comments followed Modi’s recent trip to China, his first in seven years, where he attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The visit was widely seen as a gesture toward easing tensions with Beijing, unsettling some in Washington.
Trump has also expressed irritation at New Delhi, particularly over its rejection of outside mediation in the long-standing Kashmir dispute. He has previously sought recognition for what he described as Nobel Prize-worthy diplomacy in brokering calm between India and Pakistan following their violent clashes in May.
For now, both leaders are projecting continuity in their relationship despite trade tensions and shifting global alignments, highlighting the delicate balancing act facing New Delhi as it navigates ties with Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.