Key facts
✨Donald Trump admits 50% tariffs on India over Russian oil were a mistake.
✨U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls India America’s “most significant global partner.”
✨Modi’s strategic autonomy and EU-India FTA negotiations reshaped global perceptions.
✨Trump now calls PM Modi a “good friend” and seeks a reset in ties.
✨India emerges as a central player in the Indo-Pacific and global trade order.
In a major shift, former U.S. President Donald Trump has admitted that his decision to impose steep tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil was a mistake that strained bilateral ties. In a recent TV interview, Trump described the 50% tariff as a “very difficult decision” and acknowledged that it created unnecessary friction with New Delhi, even as both countries work to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Trump’s Tariff on India Over Russian Oil
Responding to a question about Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Trump conceded that India was one of Moscow’s biggest oil customers at the time. He justified the tariff move as an attempt to penalize India for continuing energy trade with Russia, but admitted that it backfired.
“I put a 50% tariff on India because they were buying oil from Russia. That’s not an easy thing to do—it was a very big deal, and it caused a rift with India,” Trump said.
This acknowledgment marks a dramatic turnaround from his earlier stance, when the Trump administration assumed India would “surrender” under pressure.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Backs India as Top Partner
Trump’s remarks come alongside a powerful endorsement of India from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio called India “one of the most significant global partners of the United States” and emphasized its pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific strategy.
Rubio highlighted that future geopolitical competition will play out in the Indo-Pacific region, stretching from India to Japan and the South China Sea. “In the 21st century, the story is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific, and India is at the core of that story,” he said while introducing Sergio Gaur, the incoming U.S. Ambassador to India.
PM Modi’s Diplomacy Forces a Recalibration
Observers believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic strategy has forced Washington’s change of tone. Despite U.S. pressure, India continued importing Russian oil, defended its strategic autonomy, and simultaneously moved ahead with a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union.
The EU-India FTA, expected to eliminate or drastically reduce tariffs, is seen as a gamechanger that will boost Indian exports and give European goods easier access to Indian markets. For Washington, this development underscores the cost of isolating India at a time when New Delhi is being courted by other major powers.
Trump Now Calls Modi His “Good Friend”
In a striking reversal, Trump recently praised Prime Minister Modi on Truth Social, calling him a “very good friend” and expressing hope for a renewed partnership.
“I look forward to speaking with my good friend Prime Minister Modi in the coming weeks. I am certain there will be no difficulty in reaching a successful conclusion for both our great countries,” Trump posted.
Behind the scenes, India is preparing a high-level delegation to the U.S. to negotiate a blueprint for resolving tariff disputes and enhancing trade cooperation.
India’s Diplomatic Win and Global Recognition
Trump’s U-turn is being celebrated in New Delhi as a diplomatic victory. Unlike several European leaders who struggled under Trump’s confrontational style, Modi held his ground and proved that India cannot be strong-armed.
The episode has reinforced India’s status as a decisive power in the Indo-Pacific region, where U.S. strategy to counter China depends heavily on Indian cooperation. Analysts say this acknowledgment signals a new phase in U.S.-India ties—based on mutual respect rather than pressure tactics.
What Lies Ahead
With the U.N. General Assembly around the corner, speculation is mounting over whether Prime Minister Modi will meet Trump for bilateral discussions. Meanwhile, negotiations on trade and tariffs are expected to accelerate, with both sides signaling readiness to resolve long-pending issues.
What is clear is that India’s growing economic and geopolitical weight has forced Washington to recognize it not just as a partner, but as an indispensable ally for the future world order.
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