“Fully Reciprocate His Sentiments”: PM Modi on Trump’s “Will Always Be Friends” Remark
Table of Contents
On September 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a succinct yet significant response to remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had professed that he and Modi would “always be friends” despite ongoing trade frictions. Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to say, “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.” (www.ndtv.com, Moneycontrol, The Economic Times)
A. The Context: Growing Strain Amid Striking Statements
- Tariff Tensions
Relations between India and the U.S. had recently hit a rough patch. President Trump had implemented a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, largely in response to India’s continued Russian oil purchases, sparking sharp concern in New Delhi (Indiatimes, Moneycontrol, Reuters). - Diplomatic Heat and Cooldown
- PM Modi
Trump’s tone quickly shifted. After accusing the U.S. of having “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China,” he backpedaled. At the White House, PM Modi he assured that Modi is “a great Prime Minister,” reiterating, “I’ll always be friends with PM Modi… India and the United States have a very special relationship” (www.ndtv.com, The Times of India, Moneycontrol, Indiatimes).
- India’s Strategic Outreach
- PM Modi
This personal flare-up coincided with strategic realignments: Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and publicly demonstrated warmth with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Those gestures were widely seen as a subtle response to U.S. pressure (The Guardian, New York Post).
Modi’s Response: A Diplomatic Balancing Act
Modi’s reply — brief, warm, and strategic — carries multiple layers:
1. Preserving Strategic Endurance
By reciprocating Trump’s sentiments, Modi emphasized that the Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership between India and the U.S. remains intact and forward‑looking, even as short‑term friction persists (www.ndtv.com, The Times of India, Moneycontrol, The Economic Times). This points to Delhi’s intent to keep diplomatic channels open and strategic trust alive.
2. Reinforcing Personal Rapport
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the value of the personal bond between the two leaders. He reiterated that “there is a strong personal equation” and emphasized that India and the U.S. “remain engaged PM Modi” (The Times of India, Moneycontrol). This personal connection is being leveraged to deescalate tension and preserve broader ties.
3. Maintaining Calm Amid Contradictions
Trump’s rapid shifts — from showcasing strong friendship to PM Modi imposing massive tariffs — created uncertainty. Modi’s response steadied the narrative, signaling that while disagreements may arise, they don’t undo the foundational collaboration (www.ndtv.com, The Times of India, Indiatimes).
Strategic Implications
A. India’s Need for Diversified Partnerships
Modi’s presence with Xi and Putin at SCO, in the midst of U.S. sanctions, highlighted India’s willingness to balance alliances. These gestures suggest a desire to reduce vulnerabilities tied solely to a single global power (The Guardian, New York Post).
B. Trade Friction vs. Diplomatic Resilience
Despite tariffs that could exceed 50 percent on key exports like textiles, gems, and jewelry, Modi’s larger strategy remains consistent: protect domestic stakeholders while maintaining strategic dialogue with the U.S. (Reuters, Indiatimes).
C. Managing Domestic Criticism
Not all political quarters backed Modi’s conciliatory tone. Opposition voices such as Jairam Ramesh criticized the friendship rhetoric as costly, warning against external pressure. Leaders like Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari suggested India shouldn’t be bullied, even by an ally (The Economic Times).
What It Tells Us About India‑U.S. Relations
| Factor | Significance |
|---|---|
| Personal Chemistry | Modi and Trump’s rapport remains a diplomatic asset in sensitive times. |
| Policy Disagreements | Tariffs and geopolitical moves — like Indian-Russian ties or energy imports — still sour relations. |
| Strategic Flexibility | India continues balancing between U.S. and SCO players amid global volatility. |
| Domestic Stakeholder Balance | Modi projects firmness in defending farmer and industry interests while keeping diplomacy smooth. |
| Dialogue Channels Alive | Amid frictions, mutual reassurances reinforce the continuity of high-level communication and trust. |
Concluding Thoughts
Prime Minister Modi’s response — “deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate” — does more than sound cordial. It offers insight into his diplomatic playbook: uphold national interests firmly, ensure economic self-reliance where needed, but never shut the door on strategic partnerships.
The exchange with Trump reflects the complex weave of modern geopolitics: where trade disputes, personal affinities, and global alignments intersect. In this calculus, India aims to project sovereignty and adaptability, reinforcing that fluctuations in tone do not dismantle substantive ties.
Modi’s reply, delivered via a concise social media post, underscores a message of steadfast partnership. It tells Washington and New Delhi’s domestic audience alike that while disagreements may spark, the broader arc of cooperation remains uninterrupted.
— End of Essay —
Let me know if you’d like a refined structure, more regional context, or a breakdown of subsequent developments!
