Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly refused to take four phone calls from US President Donald Trump in recent weeks, according to German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). The newspaper cited sources claiming the move reflected the “depth of his anger, but also his caution,” following Washington’s steep tariff hikes on Indian exports.
A similar report by Nikkei Asia suggested PM Modi was deliberately avoiding Trump’s calls, further intensifying the US President’s frustration.
The Tariff Flashpoint
Relations between New Delhi and Washington have soured after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, the highest duty imposed on any country apart from Brazil. The hike included a 25% penalty duty on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
India has strongly objected to the move, with PM Modi vowing that he would “never compromise” the interests of the country’s farmers.
FAZ reported that the refusal to take Trump’s calls signals New Delhi’s unwillingness to bow to US pressure. “There are signs indicating that Modi felt insulted,” the paper added.
Pakistan Factor
Another source of strain has been Trump’s repeated claims that he personally mediated the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire. India has categorically rejected this, insisting there was no third-party involvement.
Analysts say Trump’s “deal-driven style of diplomacy” has contributed to the perception in India that Washington is tilting towards Pakistan.
China Angle
Analyst Mark Frazier, co-director of the India-China Institute in New York, told FAZ that Washington’s vision of India as a central pillar of the Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China is now faltering.
He argued that India never intended to be a junior partner in US plans against Beijing, noting instead that New Delhi and Beijing share overlapping interests in expanding their influence within global institutions.
According to Frazier, Chinese technology and investments could boost Indian industry, while India could play a vital role in bolstering China’s global standing. “India’s shift is strategic, not just a response to US tariffs,” he said.
What Lies Ahead
PM Modi is expected to visit China at the end of August to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This will be his first visit to China, viewed as an attempt to ease tensions with Beijing even as New Delhi navigates an increasingly uncertain relationship with Washington.
