In a stunning reversal of stance, former US President Donald Trump has declared that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will "always be friends," just days after expressing public displeasure over India's strategic engagements with China and Russia. This diplomatic U-turn comes against a tense backdrop of renewed US tariff threats targeting India, specifically over its continued purchase of Russian oil and the perceived bonhomie between Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent SCO Summit.
From 'Sulking' to Solidarity: Trump's Volatile Rhetoric
The sequence of events began with Trump publicly voicing his discontent, suggesting that the United States had "lost India to China." This comment was widely interpreted as a reaction to India's active participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where PM Modi shared the stage with leaders from nations often at odds with US interests. Trump's initial remarks painted a picture of a strategic rift, accusing India of a significant "pivot" towards Beijing.
However, in a rapid and unexpected shift, the former President performed a complete about-face. He directly contradicted his earlier statement, asserting a permanent friendship with the Indian Prime Minister. This remarkable U-turn within a short span highlights the volatile nature of the discourse surrounding India's foreign policy choices on the global stage.
The SCO Bonhomie and Trump's 'Tariff War' Gambit
The catalyst for the initial friction was the visible diplomacy at the SCO summit. Images and reports of interactions between Modi, Putin, and Xi Jinping were perceived in some quarters as a strengthening of a non-Western axis. Following this, Trump and his advisers adopted a sharply aggressive trade posture.
Trump declared a virtual 'war' on trade, announcing a staggering 25% increase in tariffs on certain goods. His administration issued a stark 24-hour ultimatum to India, demanding an immediate halt to its purchases of Russian crude oil or face severe consequences. Trump's trade adviser reportedly expressed fury, labeling the SCO camaraderie a "shame" and accusing these nations of fostering "selfish economies." This move was seen as a direct attempt to flip India's strategic calculations and force it to snub Moscow.
Prime Minister Modi, however, responded with firmness at the SCO, delivering a strong critique of "selfish economies" and indirectly torching the US tariff strategy. India has steadfastly refused to comply with the ultimatum on Russian oil, citing its energy security needs, a defiance that has reportedly angered the Trump camp.
Broader Regional Context and Lasting Implications
The trade and diplomatic tussle unfolded alongside significant domestic developments in India. PM Modi made his first visit to Jammu & Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack, blaming Pakistan for attacking "Kashmiriyat." Separately, a tragic landslide in Sikkim, triggered by the swelling Teesta river, hit an Army camp, killing three personnel and leaving six missing.
On the international front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that President Putin would not meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, a statement that added another layer of complexity to global geopolitics and reportedly shocked Trump.
The core takeaway is India's firm navigation of a multipolar world. Despite intense pressure, Delhi has maintained its sovereign right to engage with both East and West, balancing its historic ties with Russia, its complex relationship with China, and its crucial partnership with the United States. Trump's rhetorical U-turn, from sulking to professing eternal friendship, underscores the critical importance Washington still places on its relationship with India, even amidst public disagreements on trade and geopolitics. The episode sets the stage for a potentially turbulent phase in bilateral relations, where economic coercion will test diplomatic resilience.
