WASHINGTON; US President Donald Trump has reportedly attempted to contact Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on four separate occasions over the past few weeks, but Modi did not respond, according to Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing sources close to the matter.
The newspaper highlights that tensions between the two leaders date back to earlier this year when Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods and referred to India as a “dead economy,” a move that reportedly offended New Delhi.
“There are signs indicating that Modi felt insulted,” the report notes, suggesting that the Indian premier’s reluctance to engage in phone conversations with Trump reflects the depth of his irritation.
Relations between the US and India have also been complicated by Trump’s statements on strengthening ties with Pakistan, a sensitive issue for New Delhi. Despite these challenges, both countries initiated talks on a large-scale trade agreement in February following Modi’s visit to Washington, aiming to boost annual bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
The agreement was initially expected to be signed this fall, with multiple rounds of negotiations held in both Washington and New Delhi. However, the sixth round of talks, scheduled for August 25, was reportedly canceled, highlighting the growing strain in diplomatic interactions.
Experts say the developments mark a significant shift in India’s perception of Trump, reflecting the broader challenges in managing a strategic partnership amid personal and policy-level disagreements.
