Trump says he’ll ‘always be friends’ with Modi; ‘nothing to worry’ about India-U.S. ties

By Admin

06 Sep, 2025

The relationship between India and the United States has seen its share of ups and downs, but U.S. President Donald Trump has assured that the bond between the two nations remains strong despite current tensions. Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday (September 5, 2025), Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while acknowledging disagreements over trade and energy policies.

A ‘Special Relationship’ Amid Tensions

Responding to questions about whether he is prepared to reset ties with India, Trump stated, “I’ll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi… He’s a great Prime Minister. He’s great. But I just don’t like what he’s doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion.”

Despite his reassuring words, ties between Washington and New Delhi are currently strained. Disagreements over tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil have pushed relations into what many describe as the worst phase in over two decades.

Concerns Over Russian Oil Purchases

One of Trump’s primary concerns is India’s increasing imports of Russian oil. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia, and I let them know that,” he remarked. Trump also pointed out that the U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on India as a result.

Earlier this week, Trump sparked debate on social media after posting on Truth Social: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” The post was accompanied by an old photo of Modi alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, following their warm interactions at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.

Trade Talks and U.S. Frustrations

When asked about broader trade negotiations, Trump said, “They are going great. Other countries are doing great. We’re doing great with all of them. We’re upset with the European Union because of what’s happening with not just Google, but with all of our big companies.”

However, senior officials in the Trump administration expressed more serious concerns. Peter Navarro, Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, criticized India’s tariff regime, saying it costs U.S. jobs and indirectly fuels Russia’s war effort. On X, Navarro wrote, “India buys Russian oil purely to profit/revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins.”

Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, echoed the sentiment, noting that both Trump and his trade team are “disappointed that India continues to fund Russia’s Ukraine war.” He expressed hope for positive diplomatic developments in the near future.

The Road Ahead for India-U.S. Relations

While tensions over trade policies and energy choices continue, Trump’s remarks suggest that the personal equation between the leaders of the two largest democracies could help navigate through disagreements. His repeated emphasis on being “friends with Modi” underscores the importance of strong leadership ties in shaping bilateral relations.

India-U.S. relations have weathered many challenges in the past, and despite the current friction, both sides continue to recognize the strategic importance of cooperation. Whether the issues over tariffs and Russian oil purchases will be resolved diplomatically remains to be seen, but Trump’s assurance that “there’s nothing to worry about” indicates that the foundation of the partnership remains intact.