US President Donald Trump on Friday assured that ties between Washington and New Delhi remain strong, despite rising tensions over tariffs and India’s purchase of Russian oil. He described India and the US as having a “special relationship” and urged calm over the current disagreements.
“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,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Friday.
Trump was responding to a question on whether he plans to reset relations with India. The two nations are currently facing what many consider their worst diplomatic phase in more than 20 years.
Disappointment Over Russian Oil Purchases
The US president expressed frustration over India’s decision to buy large amounts of oil from Russia.
“I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia, and I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India, 50 per cent tariff, very high tariff. I get along very well with (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, he’s great. He was here a couple of months ago,” Trump said.
His remarks came after his recent Truth Social post suggesting that India and Russia were moving closer to China. In that post, he wrote, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump also shared an old photo of Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
SCO Summit Adds to Concerns
Trump’s social media message came shortly after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. During the summit, the friendly interactions between Modi, Putin, and Xi gained international attention, raising concerns in Washington.
Trade Talks and Wider Issues
When asked about trade negotiations with India and other countries, Trump said talks were progressing well.
“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,” he explained.
Trump Officials Criticize India’s Stance
Senior members of Trump’s administration also voiced concerns. Peter Navarro, the administration’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, criticized India in a post on X.
“India buys Russian oil purely to profit/revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. US taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins,” Navarro wrote.
Similarly, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, said Trump and his trade team are unhappy with India’s actions.
“I think the trade team and the president are disappointed that India continues to fund Russia’s Ukraine war, and hopefully it’s a diplomatic issue that will have positive development soon,” Hassett told reporters at the White House on Friday.