German media: Modi turns cold shoulder to Trump amid tariff threats and Russia ties

US President Donald Trump has reportedly made four attempts in recent weeks to reach Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone, but the Indian leader has declined to take his calls, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) newspaper reported, citing informed sources.

The German publication recalled that Trump had previously angered New Delhi by imposing 25% export duties on Indian goods and dismissively referring to India as a “dead economy.”

According to FAZ, these developments appear to have left Modi offended. The newspaper suggests that his refusal to engage in phone conversations with Trump underscores his deep dissatisfaction with the actions and rhetoric of the White House.

The article further notes that public and political attitudes toward Trump in India have shifted considerably, influenced in part by his remarks about seeking to strengthen ties with Pakistan, a sensitive issue in New Delhi.

FAZ also highlights that Modi is pushing back against Trump’s pressure to open Indian markets to US agribusiness. In addition, India’s decision to maintain purchases of Russian oil—a trade that Trump has condemned as funding “Putin’s war machine” amid the conflict in Ukraine—has further strained the relationship.

If these tensions remain unresolved, India risks facing tariffs of up to 50% on its exports to the United States—25% due to the trade imbalance and an additional 25% over its ongoing energy dealings with Russia. Trump adviser Peter Navarro was quoted as saying, “I don’t think my boss will give them another extension.”

The newspaper also reported that Modi has little interest in participating in what he views as a political spectacle, referencing a recent episode involving Vietnam. In that case, Trump prematurely announced via social media that a trade agreement had been reached, despite no such deal having been finalised with Hanoi.

Political analyst Mark Frazier told FAZ that the US vision of an Indo-Pacific alliance—where India is expected to play a key role in countering China—“is falling apart.”

The report concludes by noting that Modi is charting a new strategic course, with plans to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin this weekend.

By Tamilla Hasanova