Trump Extends Olive Branch to PM Modi Amidst Strained Ties Over Oil and Trade

After months of escalating tensions between India and the United States over tariffs and Russian oil imports, former U.S. President Donald Trump has extended a conciliatory gesture to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the occasion of PM Modi’s 75th birthday, Trump reached out with a warm phone call, breaking the ice since their last tense conversation in June. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Modi’s leadership and commitment to peace, saying: “Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job.”

Trump also acknowledged India’s diplomatic efforts toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, marking a shift from his earlier critical rhetoric. PM Modi responded on X, expressing gratitude and reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Global Partnership with the U.S., while backing peace initiatives in Ukraine.

The outreach comes after a period of frosty ties marked by heavy tariffs, harsh criticism from Washington over India’s Russian oil imports, and a “testy” June phone call between the two leaders following Operation Sindoor. Trump had accused India of bolstering Moscow’s war efforts, while New Delhi firmly defended its sovereign trade decisions.

Recent developments, including resumed U.S.-India trade talks in New Delhi, signal a possible thaw. Both sides described the negotiations as “positive,” sparking optimism that a long-stalled bilateral trade agreement could move forward.

While Washington appears to be softening its stance on trade, questions remain on whether Trump’s olive branch also indicates flexibility on the contentious oil issue. The coming weeks may prove decisive in redefining India-U.S. relations, as both nations weigh strategic partnerships in an evolving global landscape.