Modi praises Trump while tariff time bomb ticks toward April 2 deadline
But while Beijing braces for impact, India’s strategy is more of wait and watch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently showered warm words for Trump. Speaking on a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi described Trump as «far more prepared» for his second term, crediting him with a clear roadmap and strategic steps to achieve his goals.
However, Modi's praise comes amid looming reciprocal tariff threats and the fact that Trump has time and again called out India to be among the nations that charge the US the highest tariffs. While Trump has praised Modi often, he has called India a tariff abuser. In the February meeting, Trump and Modi discussed trade issues and the nations are working on a trade deal. Trump, nonetheless, wants actions from India that should be beneficial for his land, including India buying more oil from the US.
Trump's close ally Elon Musk meanwhile also seems to be getting some advantage in India these days. While Tesla is about to enter India, telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also signed deals with Starlink.
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So, is Trump really a good friend for India or is it about 'this is business'?
Trust, tariffs, and tough choices
Trump’s unpredictability has frequently blindsided even his closest allies — Europe being a prime example. Recall when Trump once called Modi a «tough negotiator»? Those words may now be put to the test, as Indian exporters — particularly in automobiles and agriculture — prepare for potential tariff pain.
Despite this uncertainty, Modi and Trump have been working to mend trade ties. After their meeting last month, both leaders agreed to address tariff disputes and push forward with a phased trade deal by fall 2025, targeting $500 billion in two-way trade