India US Relations 2025: This year Donald Trump and India’s timeline began with friendship and went to tariff war and diplomatic tension. However, in September, Trump showed a soft attitude by calling PM Modi a ‘Great Leader’ and Modi also emphasized the strategic partnership.
India US TARIFF TENSION 2025: Amid the tariff controversy, US President Donald Trump’s attitude towards India has softened. His tone has changed again and again in the last 8 months. In February 2025, where he announced the ‘Mega Partnership’ with PM Modi, by July, he imposed a huge tariff on India and called the Indian economy to ‘dead’. The situation worsened in August, but in the first week of September, Trump softened his statements by calling Modi ‘Great Prime Minister’. Know here when Trump said about India, the entire timeline of his statements …
February 2025: Friendship and Mega Partnership
On February 14, PM Modi reached Washington. Trump and Modi announced the ‘Mega Partnership’ and aims to double the trade between the two countries. The beginning was very positive and relationships were seen going to new heights.
March – Zulai 2025: Expectations and talks
During these 5 months, there were several rounds of trade negotiations between Indo-US. It was expected that American tariffs would be limited to 15%. There was confidence and hope in the relationship between the two countries.
July 2025: Sudden tariff war
- On July 30, Trump suddenly imposed a tariff of 25% on India.
- On 31 July, he described India’s economy as ‘dead’ in a social media post and downplay the Indo-Russia relationship. The rift in the relationship between the two started from here, which increased.
August 2025: Diplomatic stretch due to increase in tariff
- On 6 August, Trump increased the tariff to India to 50%, which was the biggest setback ever.
- On August 7, PM Modi gave a strong reply and said that India will never compromise on its interests.
- Tension continued to grow throughout this month. Trump accused India of taking advantage of the purchase of oil from Russia, ‘Phase 2’ and ‘Phase 3’ tariffs indicated.
- In the end of August, there were reports of tense phone calls. Trump claimed that he resolved the India-Pakistan dispute, which India rejected. This month was the most stressful in the relationship between the two countries.
September 2025: Rhetoric to backfoot
- On 1 September, Trump said that India offered zero tariffs, but raised questions on time and oil purchase.
- On September 4, Trump wrote in a social media post- ‘America lost India and Russia to China.’ This was a reaction to joining India’s SCO Summit, China.
- On 5 September, Trump softened the tone, he described Narendra Modi as the ‘Great Prime Minister’ and said that India-US relations are special, although expressed disappointment on business and oil issues.
- On 6 September, M Modi welcomed Tone in exchange for Trump and clarified India’s strategic priorities.
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