'Fully reciprocate his sentiments': PM Modi on Trump's friendship remarks
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to United States President Donald Trump's recent remarks about their friendship. On Friday, Trump had called India-US ties a "very special relationship" and said he and PM Modi would "always be friends." However, he expressed displeasure over India's Russian oil imports. Reacting to this, PM Modi said he "fully reciprocates his sentiments," adding that India and the US have a "very positive" global strategic partnership.
Diplomatic response
Trump and I will always be friends: US President
PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his views on the matter. He wrote, "Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership." This comes after recent tensions between the two countries over tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian exports.
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2025
India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.@realDonaldTrump @POTUS https://t.co/4hLo9wBpeF
Trade tensions
US tariffs on Indian imports strain ties
The US has imposed secondary tariffs on India, pushing the rates above 50%, the highest Trump has levied. India has condemned these tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable." The tensions were further aggravated when New Delhi reportedly denied Trump's peacemaking role during its recent conflict with Pakistan. Despite these issues, Trump said trade talks with India are "going well."
Diplomatic meetings
PM Modi meets Xi, Putin at SCO summit
Amid these tensions, PM Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. There, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The three leaders were seen shaking hands and hugging each other in photos shared by PM Modi. This display of unity comes as Trump had earlier claimed that the US "lost India to China," although he later clarified that he "does not believe so."