In a series of contradictory statements, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently referred to India as having “moved closer to China and Russia,” but later clarified he remains a “great friend” of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “great leader.” Trump stated that the U.S.-India relationship is “very special” and that there is “nothing to worry about. In response, PM Modi offered a calm and mature reply, tweeting: “I deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments. India and the U.S. share a positive, forward-looking, comprehensive global strategic partnership.” Modi’s concise and diplomatic message stood in contrast to Trump’s flip-flopping tone. Earlier, Trump had raised eyebrows with his social media post suggesting the U.S. had “lost India” to China—a comment he later downplayed when questioned by reporters. Despite these mixed signals from Trump, Indian analysts and diplomats emphasize that the U.S.-India relationship is not driven by individuals but by shared strategic interests. Modi’s balanced response reinforced India’s commitment to a stable, long-term partnership with the U.S., unaffected by short-term political rhetoric.
