US-India ties strain over Trump tariffs, Russian oil.
President Donald Trump has imposed a steep 25% tariff on Indian goods, a move that has sharply strained relations between Washington and New Delhi. The action comes amid growing U.S. Adding to the tension, Trump has taken steps to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Pakistan, further complicating the geopolitical balance in South Asia.
US-India Ties Falter as Trump Tariffs and Russia Rhetoric Shock New Delhi
In February, the world watched as US President Donald Trump welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House with a warm embrace. world’s two largest democracies.
But six months later, that friendship appears to have frayed dramatically.
In an aggressive series of late-night posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump lashed out at India’s trade practices, calling them “strenuous and obnoxious,” and lumped India.
Analysts were left scrambling to understand how things had soured so quickly.
“I don’t think it has much to do with policy anymore.”
Just weeks ago, there were signs of hope. Trump had suggested a trade deal with New Delhi was on the horizon. Indian officials, anxious to avoid what the White House had ominously termed “liberation day” tariffs, were expecting more time to negotiate. But instead, the US president moved ahead — his 25% levy only marginally less than the threatened 26% — and warned that India would also face additional, unspecified penalties for continuing to buy oil from Russia.
For India, which has maintained a balancing act between its long-standing relationship with Russia and its growing strategic partnership with the United States, the tone of Trump’s remarks came as a jolt. While New Delhi has pushed back against Western pressure to cut energy ties with Moscow, it has also deepened defense and technology cooperation with Washington in recent years — moves seen as a counterweight to China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
Trump’s harsh rhetoric, however, has put that delicate equilibrium in jeopardy.
Still, India is not giving up on dialogue. He added that officials still expected a US trade delegation to visit New Delhi later this month.
Behind the political drama, many in both countries are hoping cooler heads will prevail — that once the heat of campaign-season rhetoric dies down, the long-term foundations of the US-India partnership will hold firm.
But for now, one thing is clear: the personal warmth that once defined Trump and Modi’s relationship has given way to public tension, and both governments are entering an uncertain new phase.