US-India Ties Warm Up: Trump and Modi Exchange Friendly Vibes Amid Tariff Talks
Tensions between India and the US seem to be easing, thanks to some positive words from leaders on both sides. Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, shared his thoughts on this during a recent Fox News interview. He praised how US President Donald Trump dialed back his earlier tough stance, saying it makes sense because India hasn’t shifted towards China.
Chang pointed out a key moment: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin but skipped China’s military parade. "That sends a clear message to China and the world that India doesn’t want to join any anti-Western group," Chang explained. This shows India’s strong ties with the West, including the US, remain solid.
On the tariff front, Chang agrees with India’s complaint that the US measures feel unfair. New Delhi faces punitive 50% tariffs on Russian crude oil imports, while other buyers get a pass. This has sparked debates on US-India trade relations, but recent goodwill could help smooth things over.
The friendly exchange kicked off at a White House press conference on September 5. Trump called Modi a "great Prime Minister" and said, "I’ll always be friends with Prime Minister Modi." Modi quickly responded on Saturday, appreciating Trump’s sentiments and fully reciprocating them. It’s a boost for US-India relations, especially as both nations navigate global trade challenges.
Meanwhile, India’s stock market is buzzing with optimism despite the tariffs. A New York Times report from Sunday highlights how Mumbai’s two main stock indexes have climbed 10% in the last six months. Titled "India’s Investors, Defying Tariffs, Keep Pouring Money Into Stocks," it credits the growing confidence of India’s middle class and the rise of its domestic financial sector. Interestingly, foreign investors’ share in Indian stocks has dropped from 24% to about 16%, showing locals are taking the lead.
India’s solar industry is also holding strong against US tariffs. According to a Los Angeles Times piece on Sunday, "India’s solar industry, aiming to compete with China, finds strength as US tariffs hit home." The report notes that booming domestic demand for solar power will cushion any blows from reduced US sales. India is pushing hard to harness solar energy, with costs now half those of new coal plants. Over the last decade, the country’s installed solar power has skyrocketed 30 times, thanks to ambitious clean energy goals. This positions India’s solar sector to thrive, even as it eyes competition with China.
Overall, these developments paint a picture of resilient US-India ties and a confident Indian economy pushing forward on trade, stocks, and green energy.
