New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warmly responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks describing India-US ties as a “very special relationship” and affirming that he and Modi would “always be friends.” The Prime Minister said he “fully reciprocates” the sentiments expressed by Trump, underscoring that the partnership between the two countries continues to remain strong despite recent trade frictions.
Taking to X, Modi wrote, “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.” His statement comes at a sensitive time, as tensions between the two nations have flared in recent weeks over tariffs and India’s energy trade with Russia.
On Friday, Trump had struck a dual note of friendship and frustration. While calling Modi a “great Prime Minister” and affirming that the two leaders would always remain friends, he voiced displeasure at what Modi was “doing at the moment” a reference to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil despite U.S. pressure. “I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I’ll always be friends, but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion,” Trump told reporters.
The exchange comes after weeks of friction triggered by Washington’s decision to impose secondary tariffs on India for continuing to import Russian oil. With U.S. tariffs on Indian exports now crossing 50 percent among the highest levied under Trump’s administration New Delhi had strongly condemned the move, labeling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The tariffs were compounded by Trump’s frustration at India rejecting his offer to mediate in its recent tensions with Pakistan, further complicating the diplomatic climate.
Adding to the unease, Modi’s recent appearance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin drew international attention. Images and videos of Modi sharing warm gestures with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were widely circulated, projecting unity among the three leaders at a moment when all face strained ties with Washington. The display came just weeks before Trump suggested on Truth Social that the U.S. had “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China,” though he later clarified he did not truly believe that was the case.
“I don’t think we have (lost India). I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India 50 percent, a very high tariff. I get along very well with PM Modi, as you know. He was here a couple of months ago, in fact, we went to the Rose Garden and had a press conference,” Trump said, attempting to soften his earlier comments.
Despite the visible strain, both sides continue to stress the enduring importance of the relationship. The Trump administration has maintained that trade talks with India are “going well,” while New Delhi emphasizes that ties with Washington are anchored in shared democratic values, people-to-people links, and converging strategic interests. Modi’s latest message of reciprocity seeks to cool tensions, signaling that India remains committed to keeping the partnership on a forward-looking path even as differences over tariffs and energy imports persist.