White House Reaffirms Trump’s ‘Strong Feelings’ For India Amid Tariff Tensions: ‘Has Great Respect For PM Modi’

Amid rising trade frictions between India and the United States (US) and a sharp downturn in bilateral trade ties, the White House has reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries, describing the partnership as one the President feels “very strongly” about.

At a press briefing on Tuesday (November 4, 2025), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The President is positive and feels very strongly about the India–US relationship. A few weeks ago, he spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many high-ranking Indian-American officials.”

Leavitt also praised US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and said Trump’s trade team was in “serious discussions” with New Delhi, even as tensions over tariffs and energy imports continue to strain ties. “I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they speak pretty frequently,” she added.

Why are tariffs new flashpoint in India–US relations?

The renewed friction comes after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports in August 2025, slapping 50% duties, including 25% secondary tariffs, in response to India’s continued oil imports from Russia. India described the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while Trump labelled the trade relationship a “totally one-sided disaster.”

Trump’s high tariffs have drawn concern in both capitals, threatening to undo years of progress in economic cooperation that saw bilateral trade surpass $190 billion in 2024.

How has India responded to Trump’s oil and energy remarks?

The dispute has deepened after President Trump claimed that India had ‘significantly reduced’ oil imports from Russia, asserting that Prime Minister Modi assured him of such a decision. However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pushed back, stressing that India’s energy sourcing decisions are guided purely by national interests and consumer welfare.

“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. Our policies are driven by the need to ensure stable prices and secure supplies through diversified sourcing,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He added that India continues to expand energy cooperation with the US.

What did Trump claim about his role in South Asia’s security?

In a separate controversy, President Trump stirred debate by claiming he had “threatened India and Pakistan with tariffs” to prevent a nuclear war during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea last week. Trump linked his remarks to India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in May following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.

India’s response was swift and categorical and the MEA rejected Trump’s version of events, clarifying that the ceasefire with Pakistan was achieved through military-to-military communication channels, not external mediation. “India’s position remains unchanged — all issues with Pakistan are to be resolved bilaterally, without any third-party involvement,” the MEA stated.

Can India–US partnership withstand this turbulence?

While Washington insists that Trump values his personal rapport with PM Modi, recent trade and policy tensions suggest a more complex reality. The relationship, once marked by strategic alignment, now faces economic headwinds, energy disagreements, and competing geopolitical priorities.

However, officials on both sides remain engaged in intense back-channel diplomacy to prevent the tariff dispute from escalating into a full-blown trade confrontation. Moreover, India and the US share mutual interests in defence, technology, and Indo-Pacific security.

What about India-US trade deal?

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) gave a positive feedback on the talks, saying that India and the US are holding continuous discussions for the proposed bilateral trade agreement.

“Talks are going well and are continuously going on,” he stated, further nothing that there are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so it is natural that it will take some time). Five rounds of talks have been completed so far for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between the US and India.