Hyderabad: US President Donald Trump changed his message about India within hours on Friday. After suggesting in the morning that “India and Russia were lost to China,” he took a softer line in the evening, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and promising to remain his friend.
The next morning, Prime Minister Modi responded warmly. Posting on X at 9:45 am, he said he deeply appreciated Trump’s sentiments and reaffirmed that India and the United States enjoy a “positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic 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.@realDonaldTrump @POTUS https://t.co/4hLo9wBpeF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2025
Modi’s response puts the spotlight on the India-US partnership
During the press conference, Trump called trade talks with India and other countries good but criticised New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, saying it triggered a 50% US tariff. He also showed irritation at the European Union’s $3.5 billion fine on Google.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar added that Modi values America as a partner and has maintained good personal relations with Trump. He declined to go further, stressing only that India continues to stay closely connected with the United States.