Trump Praises Modi, Slams Oil Deals: Can This Friendship Survive

A Special Bond Tested by Tough Talks

Trump Praises Modi, Slams Oil Deals: Can This Friendship Survive – In a recent Oval Office statement, U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by calling India-U.S. relations “very special” and declaring, “I’ll always be friends with Modi.” His words were warm, but they came with a sharp edge. Trump also expressed disappointment over some of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent decisions, especially India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and rising trade tensions.

This mix of praise and criticism shows how complex global friendships can be. While Trump praised Modi as a “great Prime Minister,” he didn’t hold back on his concerns. “I just don’t like what he’s doing at this particular moment,” Trump said. Still, he reassured the public that there’s “nothing to worry about” and that both countries “just have moments on occasion”.

These remarks come at a time when India and the U.S. are facing one of their most strained phases in over two decades. Yet, Trump’s tone suggests he’s not ready to give up on the relationship. Instead, he seems to be sending a message: friends can disagree, but that doesn’t mean the friendship is over.

Oil, Tariffs, and Tough Love

One of Trump’s biggest concerns is India’s decision to buy large amounts of oil from Russia. He said he was “very disappointed” and made it clear that this move doesn’t sit well with Washington. In response, the U.S. imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods, a move that has added pressure to an already tense trade relationship.

Trump’s trade team, including Peter Navarro and Kevin Hassett, echoed these concerns. Navarro criticized India’s oil purchases, saying they help fund Russia’s war machine. Hassett added that the U.S. is disappointed India continues to “fund” the Ukraine war through its energy deals.

These comments show that while Trump values the India-U.S. partnership, he’s willing to take strong actions when he feels national interests are at risk. The tariffs are not just economic, they’re political signals meant to push India toward different choices.

Modi, Putin, and Xi: A Photo That Sparked Debate

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump recently posted a photo of Modi standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”

This post stirred global attention and raised questions about India’s diplomatic direction. Is Modi leaning more toward China and Russia? Or is India simply keeping its options open in a changing world?

Indian officials responded calmly. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said the U.S.-India relationship is “anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties.” He emphasized that India remains committed to working with the U.S. on trade and other key issues.

Can Friendship Survive Friction?

Despite the tension, Trump’s message was clear: the friendship between him and Modi and between their countries is strong enough to survive disagreements. “We just have moments on occasion,” he repeated, suggesting that ups and downs are normal in any long-term relationship.

Experts are divided. Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton believes the Trump-Modi friendship is “over” and that recent actions have set back U.S.-India ties by decades. Others argue that this is just a rough patch and that both leaders have enough mutual respect to find common ground again.

What’s certain is that the world is watching. With global alliances shifting and trade wars heating up, the India-U.S. relations remains one of the most important and most complicated, friendships on the world stage.

Also read – Tariff Showdown: A Bold Stand – Modi Snubs Trump as India Stands Its Ground

US Strikes India with Harsh 25% Tariffs: Trade Tensions Escalate

Stay informed with the latest news and updates – only on Rapido Updates.