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Published : 06 Sep 2025, 11:21 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has downplayed US President Donald Trump’s remark about India being “lost to China”, reaffirming that India’s relationship with the United States remains “highly positive”.
In a post on X on Saturday, Modi expressed appreciation for Trump’s positive assessment of their bilateral ties.
"Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties, he wrote.
“India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking comprehensive and global strategic partnership."
Tensions between the two allies have grown after Washington accused New Delhi of fuelling Moscow’s war in Ukraine by buying Russian oil.
In response, the Trump administration imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, straining the relationship further.
On Friday, Trump remarked that India appeared to have been “lost to China” along with Russia, triggering renewed debate over the trajectory of the partnership.
The remark came after Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a security conference in China.
However, later that day, Trump appeared to soften his stance, saying he did not think the US had lost India to China, the Al Jazeera reports.
“I don’t think we have,” he said. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that.”
Trump insisted that he “will always be friends with Modi”, adding that “India and the United States have a special relationship“. “There is nothing to worry about,” he said.
