India is treading carefully following US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks that appeared to ease tensions between the two nations after weeks of strained relations. Trump’s comments, which described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great prime minister” and stated that there was “nothing to worry about” regarding US-India ties, have been met with cautious optimism in New Delhi.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump described the relationship between the United States and India as “special” and expressed his desire to maintain a personal friendship with Modi. Hours later, Modi responded via social media platform X, stating that he “deeply appreciate[d] and fully reciprocate[d] President Trump’s sentiments,” and reaffirmed the forward-looking partnership between the two countries.
However, officials in New Delhi, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the situation, told Bloomberg that while the remarks were viewed as positive, they fell short of signaling a full reset in relations. The officials stressed that further assurances from Washington would be required before ties could return to normal.
“I don’t expect a dramatic turnaround in ties,” said Pramit Pal Choudhuri, India practice head at the Eurasia Group. “These tactics are outlined in Trump’s book, The Art of the Deal,” he added, explaining that the president might be leveraging pressure tactics before offering conciliatory gestures.
The diplomatic overture comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions, particularly after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in August to penalize New Delhi’s trade barriers and its continued oil purchases from Russia. Trump has accused India of indirectly supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, undermining US-led efforts to foster peace.
Observers link Trump’s softer tone in part to Modi’s recent meetings with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in China. Footage of the three leaders laughing and holding hands circulated widely, symbolizing new alignments and complicating Washington’s outreach.
Despite the warmer rhetoric, major points of contention remain unresolved. Trump’s administration, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, has intensified criticism of India’s energy choices. In an interview on Bloomberg TV, Lutnick called India’s continued Russian oil imports “ridiculous” and suggested New Delhi would eventually apologize and re-enter trade negotiations.
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered these claims, stating that India would continue to procure Russian oil based on its national interests. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized that India values its relationship with the US and remains engaged in dialogue.
Despite shared warmth between the leaders, structural disagreements persist. Trump’s repeated branding of India as the “tariff king” reflects longstanding frustrations over market access and trade barriers. The failure to finalize a trade agreement has compounded the uncertainty, with New Delhi resisting liberalization in agriculture and dairy sectors.
Former US officials have criticized Trump’s erratic approach, warning that it risks alienating allies like India while bolstering China’s global influence. Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, in collaboration with Kurt Campbell, noted in Foreign Affairs that America’s allies increasingly view the US as problematic amid China’s growing credibility.
Smruti S Pattanaik, a fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, told Bloomberg, “At the most, Trump’s comments are a signal, and India has reacted with cautious optimism. It is not clear whether this would have any bearing on tariffs or whether this marks a change in the US’s approach to India.”
As both nations navigate this delicate phase, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Trump’s gestures lead to substantive improvements or are merely tactical positioning in a high-stakes geopolitical game.
