Trump Cancels India Visit Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
Modi reportedly told Trump that the ceasefire was negotiated directly between New Delhi and Islamabad, without any U.S. involvement.
New Delhi / New York ( Web News )
U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled his planned visit to India for the Quad summit scheduled later this year, citing mounting trade tensions, according to a report by The New York Times.
The report, based on interviews with more than a dozen officials in Washington and New Delhi, reveals growing strains in a relationship once publicly celebrated by both sides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously hailed Trump as a “true friend,” but recent disputes have soured ties.
Sources familiar with the matter said Trump had initially assured Modi that he would attend the Quad summit in the fall, but those plans have now been shelved. Behind the decision lies a mix of economic and diplomatic friction.
According to the Times, Trump has repeatedly boasted that he personally resolved the military standoff between India and Pakistan. During a June 17 phone call with Modi, Trump again raised the subject, claiming credit for the ceasefire and even noting that Pakistan intended to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. People briefed on the conversation said Trump’s remarks carried an implicit suggestion that Modi should consider a similar gesture.
The Indian leader, however, bristled at the insinuation. Modi reportedly told Trump that the ceasefire was negotiated directly between New Delhi and Islamabad, without any U.S. involvement.
The clash unfolded just as sensitive trade talks between Washington and New Delhi were at an impasse, raising fears that India could drift closer to U.S. rivals in Beijing and Moscow. Modi is expected to visit China this week for meetings with President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Weeks after the tense call, Trump shocked Indian officials by imposing a 25% tariff on Indian exports. The move was compounded by another 25% tariff targeting India’s purchases of Russian oil, effectively doubling the trade levy to 50%.
Since the June 17 exchange, the two leaders have not spoken directly, underscoring a growing chill in the relationship. Analysts warn that Trump’s approach risks undermining a key strategic partnership, while India faces the difficult task of balancing its economic needs without alienating its largest trading partner.