“Fully Reciprocate His Sentiments”: PM Modi on Trump’s “Always Be Friends” Remark
Despite tensions over US tariffs and India’s Russian oil imports, PM Modi said India-US ties remain “positive and forward-looking.”
- PM Modi reciprocates US President Donald Trump’s “always be friends” remark.
- Calls India-US ties a “positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”
- Trump expressed displeasure over India’s Russian oil imports but affirmed friendship with Modi.
- US imposed secondary tariffs above 50% on Indian exports, sparking tensions.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Sept: Amid strained India-US relations over high tariffs and India’s Russian oil imports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday responded to US President Donald Trump’s “always be friends” remark, saying he “fully reciprocates his sentiments” and highlighting the strength of the bilateral partnership.
“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi posted on X.
Trump, a day earlier, called India-US ties a “very special relationship” and reaffirmed that he and PM Modi would “always be friends.” However, he voiced concern over New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Russia. “I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister… but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment,” Trump said.
The remarks come amid escalating trade frictions. The Trump administration recently imposed secondary tariffs on India exceeding 50 per cent, the steepest among its new tariff list besides Brazil. New Delhi condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
The tensions were further fuelled when the US reportedly expressed displeasure over India rejecting Trump’s mediation offer during its conflict with Pakistan. In contrast, during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, PM Modi projected camaraderie with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with images of the three leaders together seen as symbolic amid Trump’s tariff escalation.
Adding to the controversy, Trump claimed the US had “lost India to China”, though he later softened his stance. “I don’t think we have lost India. I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia… but I get along very well with PM Modi,” Trump told reporters.
While acknowledging differences, Trump maintained that trade talks with India were “going well,” signalling that both sides were keeping communication channels open despite disagreements.
