Will India-R friendship with Trump’s tariff bomb?
In the last twenty years, a strong strategic relationship has been formed between India and America, but now this relationship has come to a new turn. In August 2025, US President Donald Trump suddenly imposed a 50% heavy import duty on Indian goods, which surprised the world, as well as the growing relationship between the two countries. This step has come at a time when India and America are closer than ever on many important issues of defense, technology and global strategy.
This was the journey of India-US relations
The relations between India and America were not limited to trade or diplomacy. In the last 20 years, the two countries together have brought many types of cooperation to new heights. The journey began with the Civil Nuclear Deal in 2005, followed by defense and technical agreements like LEMOA, Comcasa, BeCA and SATA-1. These agreements have given India a big help in becoming a reliable strategic partner of America.
Apart from this, initiatives like Quad alliance, 2+2 dialogues and semiconductor-defense co-production also further strengthens relationships. America has increased investment in India, as well as joint defense projects like GE F414 engine have increased.
India will now have to play equal: Trump
During the press conference in Washington on August 18, US President Donald Trump said clearly, “India will now have to adopt a fair attitude. We want mutuality i.e. both sides. American companies have faced heavy tariffs in India for a long time.”
After Trump’s statement, the Government of India also responded immediately. On August 22, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi in Delhi said, “The strategic partnership does not just rest on tax or tariff. We are fully prepared to resolve all the differences with negotiation.”
A day later, on August 23, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in Parliament, “America is an important strategic partner for us, but India’s sovereignty and economic interests are upstairs.”
Will defense deals affect?
According to experts, this tariff dispute is not just a business issue, but it can also affect areas like defense agreement, technology transfer and intelligence partnership. International Relations Specialist, Prof. Harsh V. Pant, believes that if the trade tension goes long, it may slow down F-21 fighter jets, drone technology, and other defense projects.
At the same time, former US diplomat Ellis Wales said in an interview to CNN, “Strategic relations can avoid business disputes, but long tariffs are confident from war and defense talks are complicated.”
Oil purchase of oil made fork from Russia
A major reason for America’s displeasure is to buy oil from Russia at cheap rates from Russia. Since the Ukraine War, the US wants India to keep distance from Russia, but India has clearly stated that its priority is energy security. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar clearly said, “India’s energy needs are our priority. We cannot compromise our sovereignty with strategic partnership.”
Although the situation is serious, the ways of conversation are open. Back-channel diplomacy is active in Washington and New Delhi. Joint exercises and quad activities between the forces of both sides are still on, indicating that the foundation of the strategic relationship is still strong.
Rahul Bahl, director of Carnegie India, says, “Tariff controversy can be resolved if both countries give priority to strategic interests.” Similarly, former US diplomat Richard Rosso said, “Tariff pressure will force both countries to interact more transparency and deeply.”
Obviously, the path ahead will not be easy. Now it will depend on both countries whether they can balance between business and strategy or not. In the coming time, it will decide that this friendship between India and America will be stronger or will stop somewhere in the midst of this tariff controversy.