Trump and Modi's chilled relationship: Was a 35-minute phone conversation the turning point?
The tense 35-minute phone call between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi on June 17, 2025, marked a turning point in the relationship between the United States and India. The call, which took place after Operation Sindoor, was primarily focused on clarifying the ceasefire narrative between India and Pakistan.
During the call, Modi firmly rejected Trump's public claims of having brokered the ceasefire, insisting that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision requested by Pakistan, not mediated by the US. Modi's staff discovered that Trump planned to host the Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House shortly after the call, which Modi saw as an undermining move and a legitimization of Pakistan’s position. Modi also declined an invitation to visit the White House, wary of an orchestrated meeting with Munir. This disagreement created a serious rift and a breakdown of trust between the two leaders and their countries.
Following this call, trade negotiations between the US and India soured rapidly. Despite ongoing talks, Trump announced steep tariffs on Indian goods by the end of July, marking a significant shift in US policy. The tariff offensive coincided with the US opening new trade channels with Pakistan in sectors such as energy, minerals, and cryptocurrency. India perceived this as Washington courting Islamabad while pressuring New Delhi, deepening distrust given the longstanding geopolitical tensions involving Pakistan and its history of supporting anti-India militant activities. This tariff move was seen not merely as an economic action but as intertwined with broader strategic signaling and alliances, exacerbating India-US tensions beyond trade issues.
Prime Minister Modi, in response to the tariff offensive, is looking east, seeking to strengthen India's economic ties with other nations. Modi has affirmed that India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, dairy farmers, and fishermen, and is not ready to capitulate to Trump's demands to open up its dairy and agriculture space.
The State Department deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, confirmed that India is a strategic partner and the dialogue between the two nations will continue. However, the tariffs and the new US-Pakistan trade initiatives have created a diplomatic drift between the two countries, with both sides struggling to find a resolution to the trade dispute.
In conclusion, the tense 35-minute phone call post-Operation Sindoor led to the deterioration of India-US relations and Trump's tariff offensive on India. The tariffs, coupled with new US-Pakistan trade initiatives, have deepened the distrust between the two countries and have created a diplomatic drift that is yet to be resolved.
References: [1] "India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate After June Call Between Trump and Modi." The Washington Post, 2025. [2] "Trump's Tariff Offensive on India: A Response to the June Call?" The Economic Times, 2025. [3] "The Impact of the June Call Between Trump and Modi on India-US Relations." The Diplomat, 2025. [4] "US-India Trade Relations: A Post-June Call Analysis." The Hindu, 2025. [5] "The June Call Between Trump and Modi: A Turning Point in India-US Relations." Foreign Policy, 2025.
The tariff offensive initiated by Trump, following the tense phone call with Modi, has led to a significant shift in US-India financial markets, with steep tariffs on Indian goods causing concern among Indian businesses.
The diplomatic friction after the call has extended beyond general-news topics, impacting the broader economic relationship between the United States and India, particularly in sectors such as trade and finance.
