New Delhi may welcome Trump weakened as India’s soured ties loom ahead of US midterms
From public praise to tension
In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood beside US President Donald Trump and praised him as Trump faced re-election. Modi also helped rally support among Indian Americans, the article says. He later called Trump “India’s best friend in the White House”.
Relations now look different. Indian officials have become more openly critical of the administration, breaking with their usual preference to handle disputes with friendly countries privately. Analysts say New Delhi may hope midterm losses leave Trump politically chastened.
A history of cooperation
India and the United States rebuilt ties under President Ronald Reagan after decades of mistrust, at a time when New Delhi maintained close relations with Moscow. Under President George W Bush, the countries reached a civil nuclear agreement between 2006 and 2008.
The deal gave India access to international nuclear technology and fuel despite its non-signatory status under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The two countries also made military agreements covering US ships and aircraft refuelling and logistical access to Indian bases.
Disputes strain the partnership
The tensions include US tariffs and stalled trade talks, pressure on India to stop buying Russian oil, and Trump’s repeated claims that he mediated a 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire. New Delhi rejects his account. India is also concerned about closer US ties with Pakistan, which it links to terrorism.
Higher H-1B visa fees and Trump’s broader immigration crackdown have affected Indian workers. India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, said negotiations had reached a “plateau” where further concessions could be difficult. Milan Vaishnav of the Carnegie Endowment said attacks on India and Indian Americans had “struck a nerve”.
Oil tariffs and midterm politics
A law signed by Trump allows the United States to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries such as India that buy Russian oil. Trump paused the measure, in part to avoid raising US energy prices before the November midterms, while keeping Russia negotiations over the war in Ukraine on track.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause reflected the importance of the US relationship with India. Praveen Donthi of the International Crisis Group said Trump’s actions had revived distrust in India’s strategic establishment and that the bipartisan consensus on India appeared to have ended. The article also says Trump’s approval ratings are at the lowest level of his political career amid record-high US gas prices.
Key points
- India has moved from Modi’s public praise of Trump to more direct criticism of his administration.
- Trade, Russian oil, Pakistan, H-1B fees and immigration are among the sources of tension.
- Trump paused a law allowing tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil.
- Analysts say midterm losses could leave Trump chastened and may suit New Delhi.