The US President, who imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, has softened the tone recently. “I get along very well with Modi, as you know,” he said in an apparent effort to reassure New Delhi.
Top US-China relations expert Gordon Chang says President Donald Trump has “walked back” his recent tough rhetoric on India, signalling a thaw in ties after months of tension over trade and oil imports.
The US President has softened the tone recently. “I get along very well with Modi, as you know,” he said in an apparent effort to reassure New Delhi.
According to Chang, Trump’s comments were a partial climbdown. This comes weeks after the US President imposed a 50% tariff on India, escalating tensions between the two countries.
“I think President Trump walked that back a little bit. And he should, because we haven’t lost India to China,” Chang told Fox News.
PM MODI SKIPS CHINA’S VICTORY PARADE
Chang pointed at PM Modi’s diplomatic messaging during recent multilateral engagements. “He did not want to be part of this anti-Western group that China and Russia, North Korea, and Iran are forming,” Chang, emphasising that Modi’s selective participation signalled India’s careful balancing act in diplomacy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi actively participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, engaging in high-level talks with counterparts including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, India opted not to join the grand military parade in Beijing on September 3, commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, as PM Modi returned home post-summit — unlike leaders from Russia, North Korea, Pakistan, and Iran — who stayed on for the event showcasing China’s military prowess.
TARIFF TENSION WITH INDIA
Chang also addressed India’s concerns over US tariffs. “Modi has a point. I mean, he says, look, you know, we’re really unhappy with the 25 per cent tariff that the United States imposed on India for buying Russian oil. He said it was unjustified. No, it was not unjustified. That tariff was a good thing for President Trump to do. But Modi has a point when he said it was unfair,” Chang added.
Hours after the US President harped on their strong personal bond despite a strain in India-US ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he “appreciates and fully reciprocates” Donald Trump’s sentiments.
