Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday struck a conciliatory tone amid growing trade tensions with the United States, responding positively to President Donald Trump’s remarks that the two leaders would “always be friends.” Modi emphasized that India and the U.S. enjoy a “very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum in bilateral ties despite friction over tariffs and Russian oil imports.

“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,” Modi posted on X, signaling New Delhi’s intent to balance diplomacy with pragmatism.

Trump, while describing India-U.S. relations as “very special,” reiterated his dissatisfaction with India’s continued purchase of Russian crude, even as he assured that trade talks with New Delhi were “going well.” The U.S. recently imposed secondary tariffs on India, raising duties on Indian exports above 50 percent—the steepest under Trump’s new list, alongside Brazil. India denounced the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

The timing of these developments coincided with Modi’s participation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, where he engaged warmly with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Images and videos of the three leaders sharing smiles and handshakes sent a symbolic message of regional solidarity at a moment when Washington is tightening economic pressure.

Days later, Trump stirred debate by claiming the U.S. had “lost India to China,” before clarifying that he did not actually believe so. “I’ve been disappointed that India buys so much oil from Russia. That’s why we put a very high tariff—50 percent. But I get along very well with PM Modi,” he told reporters.

Despite tensions, both sides continue to frame the partnership as resilient and indispensable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday struck a conciliatory tone amid growing trade tensions with the United States, responding positively to President Donald Trump’s remarks that the two leaders would “always be friends.” Modi emphasized that India and the U.S. enjoy a “very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum in bilateral ties despite friction over tariffs and Russian oil imports.

“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties,” Modi posted on X, signaling New Delhi’s intent to balance diplomacy with pragmatism.

Trump, while describing India-U.S. relations as “very special,” reiterated his dissatisfaction with India’s continued purchase of Russian crude, even as he assured that trade talks with New Delhi were “going well.” The U.S. recently imposed secondary tariffs on India, raising duties on Indian exports above 50 percent—the steepest under Trump’s new list, alongside Brazil. India denounced the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

The timing of these developments coincided with Modi’s participation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, where he engaged warmly with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Images and videos of the three leaders sharing smiles and handshakes sent a symbolic message of regional solidarity at a moment when Washington is tightening economic pressure.

Days later, Trump stirred debate by claiming the U.S. had “lost India to China,” before clarifying that he did not actually believe so. “I’ve been disappointed that India buys so much oil from Russia. That’s why we put a very high tariff—50 percent. But I get along very well with PM Modi,” he told reporters.

Despite tensions, both sides continue to frame the partnership as resilient and indispensable.