Until shortly before, US President Donald Trump was severely criticizing India. He alleged that India is indirectly funding Russia in the Ukraine War by importing huge amount of oil from Russia. But now the same Trump is thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the fact that he is cooperating in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. If seen, this change is not sudden, but a reflection of the changing international landscape and internal needs of American politics.
Trump’s compulsions
The first reason is that the electoral atmosphere in America is being created rapidly. Trump wants to show his foreign policy “practical and US-to-beauty”. The Russian-Ukraine war has become a huge burden on American taxpayers and the feeling in American public opinion is increasing that the war should end quickly. In such a situation, presenting India as an ally is politically beneficial for Trump.
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The second reason is India’s growing global role. From the G20 summit to the mediation efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, India has proved that it has the ability to communicate with both West and Russia. Accepting the role of this “reliable mediator”, Trump also wants to show his image pro -India.
The third aspect is that Trump’s political style is based on both conflicts and bargaining. First he kept pressing on India by making harsh statements and is now praising cooperation in friendly accents. This is part of his “deal maker” image. This change in Trump’s attitude is the result of American’s internal politics, India’s growing strategic importance and war fatigue. This phenomenon shows that India’s diplomatic status is so strong today that it is being seen as a decisive ally on the most controversial issues of world politics.
Dialogue between the two leaders
Let us tell you that US President Donald Trump has said that his phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was very good. During this, Trump congratulated his friend on his birthday and thanked the Indian leader for cooperation in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day before his 75th birthday and greeted him. This is being seen as an important indication as part of American efforts to improve relations with India amid tension on the issue of fees. Trump posted Truth on social social, “Just had a very good conversation with his friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the phone. I greeted him a lot of birthdays. They are doing very good work. Narendra: Thank you for your support in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. ”He wrote President DJT below.
At the same time, Modi posted on ‘X’ and thanked Trump’s phone call and congratulations on his 75th birthday. The Prime Minister said, “My friend, President Trump, thank you for your phone call and heartfelt greetings on my 75th birthday.” In a post on social media, Modi said that like Trump, he is also committed to “completely” to carry India-US wide and global partnership to “new heights”. Prime Minister Modi also told President Trump that India supports his initiative towards the peaceful solution of Ukraine struggle. Trump said that Modi is doing a great job and thanked him for the Prime Minister’s support in ending the war in Ukraine.
Let us tell you that the US President called Prime Minister Modi a day when India and America organized a new round of talks in New Delhi on the proposed bilateral trade agreement. Let us also tell you that this is the first conversation after the US imposed a 50 percent fee on India, which is considered important, as it was a few days after the two leaders exchange messages on social media, indicating the intention to improve the relationship again.
Why did Trump take U-turn?
If seen, the latest attitude of US President Donald Trump shows that interest in international politics is greater than any relationship. The congratulations given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 75th birthday and “to take the Indo-US partnership to new heights” is not just a diplomatic formality. Deep geopolitical signs are hidden behind it. Trump called Modi and not only tried to forget his old bitter behavior, but also tried to get India’s support in the peaceful solution of Ukraine crisis. Not only this, the business negotiations which the Trump administration had stalled with a huge 50% tariff, the same talks have now resumed in a positive environment.
But the real question is why Trump suddenly looks so soft? The first reason for this is China and energy politics. In fact, Trump announced on Tuesday that there was a ticket deal between the US and China and he would talk to President Xi Jinping on Friday. It is a clear indication that Washington is also trying to improve the relationship with Beijing. In such a situation, keeping India angry can be even more risky for Trump.
The second reason is the message of SCO Conference. In fact, both Modi and Jinping were seen sharing the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference. This picture was a tough message for America that if India wants, he can serve its interests in multi -polar alliances. It is possible that Trump has realized his strategic mistake on this occasion that India is to push away from rigorous tariffs and pressure policy, eventually empty space for China and Russia.
The third reason is the election and Indian origin vote bank. If seen, Trump knows well that the path of 2028 is not easy. Voters of Indian origin in American politics can prove to be decisive. Improvement of relations with India is a practical way to help this vote bank.
Therefore, it would be a mistake to consider Trump’s softening as only diplomatic etiquette. This is actually their strategic e-turn-where the deal with China, the mail with India and the compulsion to help Russia, all are coming together. The question is whether this change will be permanent, or is it only a temporary result of electoral and strategic pressure? If seen, the message for India is clear that its role in international politics is now going beyond the ‘balance player’ to become a decisive power.
Indo-US trade talks
On the other hand, if we look at the Indo -America trade talks, the stuck business conversation finally seems to be returning to the track again. The Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday that the talks with the US Assistant Trade Representative Brendon Lynch were “positive and vision”. Both sides have decided that efforts to finalize a “mutual profitable trade agreement” will be intensified as soon as possible.
Let us tell you that Brendon Lynch reached India on 16 September and held a detailed discussion with Special Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Rajesh Aggarwal. The chief negotiaters of the two countries set the next steps to carry forward the talks on the Indo -US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). According to the US Embassy, the meeting was creative and determining the direction of the future. Significantly, this is the first face -to -Samani dialogue, since the Trump administration imposed a tariff of up to 50% on India. At that time, the proposed sixth round of talks of August 2025 under US pressure were also canceled. In this, 25% of the punitive fee levied on oil purchases from Russia served as ghee in the fire.
Since then, only weekly virtual meetings have been held between the two countries. But now that US President Donald Trump has softened his stand towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also given positive reactions, new energy is visible in talks. Let us tell you that the exporters of the two countries had to face huge uncertainty due to the long tariff structure. Now the new consent on the trade agreement is expected to reduce this pressure. Overall, this dialogue is not only a sign of melting ice in business relationships, but also shows that both India and America now want to move forward on shared interests by keeping the sides of mutual differences.