Despite growing tensions over trade and India’s purchase of Russian oil, former President Donald Trump expressed that the United States and India maintain a “special relationship” and that any disagreements are merely temporary. He acknowledged his disappointment with India’s oil purchases from Russia and cited high tariffs imposed by the U.S. as a consequence. Furthermore, Trump’s administration officials, including Peter Navarro and Kevin Hassett, expressed concern over India’s support for the Russian war effort and the potential economic impacts.
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New York Times reports reveal a significant deterioration in India-U.S. relations stemming from a June phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. During the call, Trump falsely claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim Modi refuted, leading to visible frustration. The U.S. has since escalated trade tensions by imposing tariffs on Indian imports and has also taken steps, such as stricter visa regulations, that have directly affected India. These actions have seemingly prompted a shift in India’s diplomatic focus towards the east, as evidenced by Modi’s recent meeting with leaders from China and Russia.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar criticized the US and Pakistan at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, highlighting their tendency to “overlook history,” specifically referencing the 2011 Abbottabad raid. He emphasized India’s foreign policy is guided by long-term confidence and national interests, rejecting any mediation in relations with Pakistan. Furthermore, Jaishankar refuted claims of US mediation in past ceasefire agreements, attributing the settlements to direct talks between India and Pakistan. The minister also underscored the government’s commitment to protecting India’s economic interests and strategic autonomy, warning against any challenges to these positions.
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India firmly rejected US President Trump’s claim to have mediated a ceasefire and his assertion of threatening trade sanctions. The government reiterated its long-held position that the Jammu and Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan, and that India’s military actions were purely conventional, countering Pakistan’s nuclear posturing. India’s response to the April 22 terrorist attack targeted terrorist infrastructure, with any subsequent military engagement ceasing only after Pakistan’s cessation of hostilities. The government further clarified that the ceasefire agreement was reached directly between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations.
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India’s response to President Trump’s perceived interference in the Kashmir ceasefire and his subsequent comments regarding trade deals is shaping up to be a significant countermove. The strong negative reaction from many within India stems from a deep-seated feeling that Trump overstepped his boundaries, using the ceasefire as leverage in a trade negotiation. The sentiment widely expressed is that this was inappropriate and unacceptable.
The widely held opinion is that Trump’s actions weren’t just clumsy; they were seen as a form of bullying. Many felt his actions emboldened Pakistan and undermined India’s sovereignty. There’s a pervasive belief that India should not be pressured into trade deals through such tactics, and that any concessions made under duress would be perceived as a sign of weakness.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood