‘Will Always Be Friends’: Trump Backtracks on ‘Lost India to China’ Remark, Reaffirms Modi Bond
In a significant U-turn, US President Donald Trump has walked back his earlier claim that the United States had “lost” India to China, instead reaffirming his personal friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “very special relationship” between the two nations . Just hours after a provocative social media post stirred a diplomatic storm, Trump clarified his position to reporters, stating, “I don’t think we have [lost India],” while simultaneously expressing his “very disappointed” stance on New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil .
The reversal came after Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform on Friday, featuring a picture of Prime Minister Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping . The caption, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China,” triggered intense debate and was seen as a new low in the strained India-US ties, which have been hit by Trump’s recent imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods .
Despite his backtracking, Trump defended the heavy tariffs, linking them directly to India’s energy trade with Russia. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India,” he said . However, he was quick to soften his tone, emphasizing his personal rapport with the Indian leader. “I get along very well with Modi, as you know. He’s great,” Trump insisted, adding, “I’ll always be friends with (PM) Modi… India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion” .
The initial post had followed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where the camaraderie between the leaders of India, Russia, and China was widely highlighted amid the ongoing US trade disputes . While India’s Ministry of External Affairs had refrained from commenting on Trump’s initial claim, the President’s subsequent clarification appears to be an attempt to de-escalate the rhetoric, even as the core policy disagreements over trade and Russia persist .
