The relationship between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump once symbolized a certainly strong, if unusual, personal friendship. This camaraderie and lot of times publicly displayed at rallies like “Howdy Modi!” and “Namaste Trump” helped drive surely positive headlines and strategic alignment between the two countries. But , recent events have certainly exposed growing fissures in what was dubbed a “bromance,” shifting their dynamic from friends to adversaries on the global stage.
The biggest blow to Modi–Trump ties came when Trump, now back in the political spotlight, imposed a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports. The move was paired with unusually harsh rhetoric—accusing India of maintaining “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers” and claiming its economy was “dead.” Trump further justified the tariffs by citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and military equipment, which he argued was helping “fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.”
India’s government responded sharply, calling the measures “coercive tactics” that violate the spirit of partnership. Officials stressed that while the tariffs are being assessed, India would not be pressured into accepting a one-sided deal. New Delhi is reportedly considering countermeasures to protect its economic interests, signaling that strategic autonomy remains a key tenet of its foreign policy.
The tariff dispute represents more than just economic disagreement. It marks a sharp departure from the mutual admiration and alignment once seen between the two leaders.
Beyond trade, tensions have escalated over Trump’s recent claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during border hostilities. India swiftly denied the assertion, reiterating that it conducts all negotiations with Pakistan bilaterally. The message was clear: New Delhi rejects any foreign mediation, especially in sensitive regional conflicts.
Compounding matters is Trump’s increasing engagement with Pakistan. His support for exploring Pakistani oil reserves and boosting bilateral trade has raised eyebrows in New Delhi, where such gestures are seen as undermining India’s regional standing. Indian officials now view Trump’s foreign policy as more transactional and unpredictable, in contrast to the bipartisan cooperation traditionally shared between Washington and New Delhi.
Domestically, the shift has become a political talking point. India’s opposition, particularly the Congress party, has criticized Modi for what they describe as “optics over outcomes.” They argue that the Modi–Trump camaraderie failed to secure meaningful long-term benefits and left India exposed to diplomatic pressure.