Overview

• President Trump called the relationship with India “very special,” said he would always be friends with Prime Minister Modi, and reiterated frustration over India’s purchases of Russian oil as he cited a 50% tariff.
• Prime Minister Modi replied that he “deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates” the sentiment, calling the partnership forward-looking toward a Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.
• Gordon Chang said Trump has walked back recent tough rhetoric, highlighting Modi’s decision to skip Beijing’s military parade as a signal India is not aligning with an anti‑Western bloc.
• Chang noted India’s complaint that it was singled out by punitive measures as other buyers of Russian crude were spared, even as he defended the U.S. tariff as justified.
• Former diplomat KP Fabian said Trump misjudged India’s resolve to resist coercive trade pressure, describing the tariff push as without basis and unlikely to force policy change.