Berlin: An exclusive report in the prominent German newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s firm stance against pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, even as it signals a serious crisis in India-U.S. relations. The report claims that PM Modi has refused to take four separate phone calls from President Trump in recent weeks, a move that the German paper attributes to the “depth of his anger, but also his caution.”
According to the FAZ, which did not cite its sources but is considered a highly reliable publication, the friction stems from a deepening trade dispute. The U.S. has recently imposed a new wave of tariffs, including a 50% levy on certain Indian goods, a measure that is the highest for any country other than Brazil.
The German newspaper’s analysis suggests that Modi’s refusal to engage with Trump is a deliberate and strategic move. It highlights that while Trump’s usual tactic of using threats and pressure has worked with other nations, India has remained defiant. The report notes that Modi “was offended” by Trump’s public comments and actions, particularly his claims about single-handedly preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan and his efforts to impose sanctions on India for continuing to buy Russian oil.
FAZ also points to Modi’s “caution,” suggesting that he is wary of being used in a media stunt.
The paper cites the example of Trump’s previous dealings, where he has misrepresented the outcomes of conversations and prematurely announced agreements on social media. The report emphasizes that India is not willing to compromise its economic interests or strategic autonomy, and that New Delhi will manage its relations with Washington and Beijing on its own terms.
This German exclusive brings to light the underlying tensions that have strained the India-U.S. partnership, which both sides had previously touted as the “most consequential of the 21st century.” While Indian officials have not commented on the report, analysts in the U.S. have also suggested that Trump’s personal pique, more than policy differences, is driving the relationship “off the cliff.” The ongoing crisis raises questions about the future of the Indo-Pacific strategy and whether Washington’s actions will push India closer to China and Russia.
