Modi’s Best Friend Trump on India and Russia
Modi’s best friend Trump on India and Russia has taken center stage amid escalating trade tensions and pointed rhetoric. Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi once referred to Donald Trump as his “best friend,” the former U.S. president’s recent statements reveal sharp criticism, particularly around India’s relationship with Russia.
Trump’s Trade Bombshell: 25% Tariff and Russia Penalty
On July 30, 2025, Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports starting August 1, with an additional penalty targeting India’s continued energy and defense trade with Russia. He stated India is a “friend” but chastised its “far too high” tariffs on U.S. goods and non-monetary barriers. Further criticism included India’s military purchases and oil imports from Russia, which Trump described as “not good” amid the war in Ukraine Fortune15Hindustan Times15YouTube15.
What Trump Said: ‘Dead Economies’ and Indifferent Trade Posture
PM Modi has not recently mentioned Donald Trump in any major Parliament speech, despite once calling him a “best friend” at high-profile events like Howdy Modi (2019). On the other hand, Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. and Russia do almost no business, and he doesn’t care what India does with Russia:
“They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.”
“Write that—I don’t care what India does with Russia.” Daily Sabah7Reuters7www.ndtv.com7
He dismissed India and Russia as economies he has little interest in engaging with: “We have done very little business with India… their tariffs are among the highest in the world… and likewise Russia and the U.S. do almost no business. Let’s keep it that way.” The Times of India2Hindustan Times2www.ndtv.com2
Trump also warned former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to watch his statements, calling them “very dangerous territory” Hindustan Times2www.ndtv.com2The Times of India2.
Modi’s ‘Best Friend’: Symbol vs Substance
Modi has publicly described Trump as a close ally and friend, referencing warm engagement during bilateral meetings. Yet Trump’s characterization downgrades that bond to transactional diplomacy—friendship is overshadowed by trade grievances. Modi’s repeated outreach to Trump—such as during the 2025 Washington visit—is contrasted starkly with Trump’s blunt posture now en.wikipedia.orgmint.
Video Insight
This video highlights Trump’s live comments on India‑Russia trade ties, tariff announcements, and his remarks on Modi.
Why It Matters: Strategic and Economic Stakes
- Trade Impact: The sudden tariff risks halting progress on the long‑pending U.S.–India trade agreement. India exported $87 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024, skewing the bilateral trade deficit mint9The Wall Street Journal+9Hindustan Times9.
- Geopolitical Fracture: Trump framed India within the BRICS bloc as anti–U.S.—calling it an “attack on the dollar” and part of the trade deficit narrative mint+1Hindustan Times1.
- Domestic Backlash in India: Opposition voices criticized Modi’s alignment with Russia as damaging India’s global interests, questioning the benefit of close ties with Trump post‑tariffs The Times of IndiaThe New Indian Express.
- Global Signal: By penalizing India for buying Russian oil and arms, Trump signaled intensified U.S. leverage over global supply chains amid the Ukraine conflict.
Historical Context: Modi–Trump Relations
The U.S.–India relationship under Trump once featured visible camaraderie: from the Howdy Modi! rally in Houston (2019) to bilateral visits and high‑level defense dialogues like Mission 500 and the 2+2 ministerial framework launched in 2017 Hindustan Times6marketwatch.com+6mint6en.wikipedia.org1en.wikipedia.org1. Trump previously praised Modi’s leadership and avoided criticism on domestic Indian policy—even awarding him the Legion of Merit in 2020 en.wikipedia.org.
Today’s Reality: Estranged Friends?
- Consistency or Turnaround? Trump’s harsh words underscore that friendship rhetoric may not mitigate policy confrontation when economic interests diverge.
- Diplomatic Consequences: India’s balancing act—maintaining ties with Moscow, aligning closer with Washington—is now under pressure from unconventional U.S. tactics.
- Market and Policy Repercussions: Indian financial markets dipped post-announcement, while trade diplomats brace for intensified negotiations or further punitive moves The New Indian ExpressThe Times of Indiamarketwatch.com.
Conclusion
This article reveals a striking contradiction: friendship in public optics; friction and punitive economics in policy. Trump’s sharp rhetoric and aggressive trade actions pivot away from personal warmth to strategic calculation—emphasizing tariffs, framing India‑Russia ties through the lens of confrontation, and delegitimizing economic partnership. It’s a defining moment that tests whether diplomacy is personal, transactional, or overshadowed by competition.
