Modi Reportedly Declines Four Calls from Trump Amid Trade Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly turned down four telephone calls from US President Donald Trump in recent weeks, as trade tensions escalate over additional 25% tariffs on Indian goods linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude, according to Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).

A similar report by Japan’s Nikkei Asia highlights the fast-deteriorating ties between the two nations, despite earlier statements describing the US–India partnership as “the most consequential of the 21st century.”

HT.com has not independently verified the reports.

According to FAZ, “Trump has tried four times in recent weeks to get Modi on the phone. But Modi refuses to take the call.” No sources were named, and neither Washington nor New Delhi immediately responded.

Nikkei Asia cited Indian diplomatic experts noting that Trump’s repeated attempts to reach Modi were aimed at finding a compromise, but the Indian leader has reportedly consistently refused, heightening Trump’s frustration.

Reports suggest Modi’s hesitation stems from concerns that Trump could misrepresent sensitive talks, particularly on India–Pakistan issues. This follows Trump’s unverified claims that he prevented a potential nuclear conflict between the two neighbors using trade pressure—claims rejected by the Indian government.

Modi also declined a last-minute invitation to Washington in late June after the G20 summit in Canada, where the two leaders did not meet. Trump reportedly wanted Modi to meet alongside Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir, but India objected, citing a false equivalence between a perpetrator and victim of terrorism.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has previously clashed with Trump, remarked that India feels “deeply aggrieved” for being singled out with tariff and sanction threats while Russia and China face little pressure. He added, “The longer India hangs out to dry, the worse the New Delhi–Washington relationship gets.”