September 10, Wednesday: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) sounded hopeful regarding the continuation of trade talks between Washington and New Delhi, emphasizing that the two countries are engaged in removing current obstacles. Venting on Truth Social, Trump declared, "India and the US are ongoing negotiations to have the Trade Barriers between our two Nations addressed. I am looking forward to talking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the near weeks."
He also expressed confidence that the talks would be successful, observing, "I feel sure that there will be no difficulty in reaching a successful outcome for both of our Great Countries!"
Trump's comments are set against the background of Washington's recent move to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian products, with another 25 per cent penalty on imports associated with Russian oil purchases. Despite these frictions, Trump has continued to highlight the depth of the India-US relationship. Earlier this week, in a White House briefing, he described the ties as “very special,” reiterating his personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister,” Trump told ANI, while candidly expressing his disagreement with “what he is doing at this particular moment.”
While acknowledging occasional tensions, the US President emphasized that there was "nothing to worry about," noting that such differences were only "moments on occasion."
Prime Minister Modi, in a restrained rejoinder, matched Trump's friendly tone. On an X post, Modi said, "India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people."
The dialogue between the two leaders highlights the tightrope walked in the India-US relationship, characterized by converging strategies and buddy-like camaraderie at the highest levels, coupled with episodic trade and policy differences. With negotiations on the go, both sides seem keen to highlight cooperation along with navigating differences.
