Modi Reportedly Snubs Trump’s Calls Amid Tensions Over Tariffs and Russia Ties

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Fresh strains have emerged in India–United States relations after reports surfaced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined four attempts by US President Donald Trump to speak with him over the phone in recent weeks. The development was reported by the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing diplomatic sources.

The report suggests that Modi’s refusal to engage reflects his displeasure with Trump’s recent actions, including the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods and inflammatory remarks targeting India’s economy.

Tariff Spikes and “Dead Economy” Remark

Earlier this month, Trump announced new tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on a broad range of Indian exports. The move was officially justified by Washington on the grounds of India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and defence equipment.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump reportedly described India as a “dead economy”, a statement that sources say deeply insulted New Delhi. The Indian Foreign Ministry has since condemned both the US and EU criticisms of its Russian oil imports as “unjustified interference”, insisting that India’s energy choices are guided by national interests.

The higher tariffs, set to take effect on 27 August, are expected to hit India’s export-driven industries hard at a time when the country is striving to expand trade ties globally.

Diplomatic Chill and Cancelled Talks

The reported snubbing of Trump’s calls marks a sharp cooling in ties that had recently shown promise. In February, during Modi’s state visit to Washington, the two countries launched negotiations on a large-scale trade agreement aimed at boosting annual bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

Since then, Indian and US delegations have held multiple rounds of discussions, with New Delhi sending several teams to Washington. However, a planned sixth round of negotiations in India, scheduled for 25 August, was abruptly cancelled following the tariff announcement.

Shifting Perceptions in India

Observers note that Trump’s standing in India has deteriorated significantly compared to the warm reception he once enjoyed. His open push to deepen ties with Pakistan and repeated criticisms of India’s long-standing defence reliance on Russia have further strained the partnership.

According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Modi’s decision to ignore Trump’s outreach attempts underscores the extent of his irritation and could signal a recalibration of India’s diplomatic posture toward Washington.

With the tariff hikes looming, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether India–US relations can recover from this diplomatic standoff or slide into a deeper trade and political rift.

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