Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump seemed to soften their stance on September 6, 2025, following a string of scathing remarks from Washington denouncing India for purchasing Russian oil, restricting access to markets for American goods, and maintaining close ties with China. After months of heated rhetoric and tariff tensions that had escalated with Washington raising duties on important imports and India implying reciprocal measures, their accommodative remarks suggested a potential thaw.
The prime minister gave a kind and thoughtful response to Donald Trump’s statement earlier today that they “will always be friends.” “Deeply appreciate and fully embrace President Trump’s sentiments and positive review of our ties,” he said in a post on X. A highly beneficial and forward-thinking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership exists between the US and India. Modi emphasized that cooperation will keep going even with short-term trade frictions, adding that the two countries have strong ties in areas like defense, technology, and people-to-people ties.
Trump, speaking after the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, made headlines by lamenting that the U.S. had “lost India to China” in the post-tariff landscape. Yet, in the same breath, he softened his tone, declaring that the U.S. and India would “always be friends.” His remarks came as both countries grapple with the economic aftershocks of higher duties, which have weighed on trade flows and corporate confidence.
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Prime Minister Modi, known for his measured yet strategic responses, welcomed Trump’s shift in tone. “I fully reciprocate his sentiments,” Modi said, emphasizing the long-standing cultural, economic, and strategic ties between the world’s largest democracies. His response, viewed by analysts as a calculated olive branch, underscores India’s desire to keep channels open despite the turbulence in global trade.
The tariff dispute has been one of the thorniest points in recent U.S.–India ties. Trump’s earlier administration had pushed for steeper duties on a wide range of imports, from steel to consumer goods, citing unfair practices and the need to protect American workers. In response, India strengthened its relations with China and Russia and prepared countermeasures. Some observers referred to the escalation of the rhetoric as a “mini trade war.”
But the latest overtures mark a potential reset. Experts note that both leaders, despite their political differences and shifting priorities, recognize the strategic importance of each other’s nations. The U.S. views India as a critical counterweight to China’s growing influence in Asia, while New Delhi values Washington’s support in defense, technology, and investment.
Markets also reacted cautiously to the warmer words. Analysts suggest that even symbolic gestures of reconciliation could reduce uncertainty, offering hope to industries battered by rising costs and disrupted supply chains.
“Their statements don’t erase months of tension, but they signal a willingness to move past the heat of tariffs,” said Ananya Mukherjee, a professor of international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “Both sides understand the high stakes, not just for trade, but for regional stability.”
The timing of the peace overtures is notable. With global growth forecasts dimming and supply chains under strain, leaders worldwide are under pressure to stabilize key trade relationships. Modi or Trump latest exchange may not immediately resolve the tariff row, but it highlights a pragmatic willingness to balance tough talk with enduring friendship.