President Donald Trump has once again stirred tensions between India and the United States. His recent comments and actions—like imposing 25% tariffs on Indian goods, calling India’s economy “dead,” and mocking it over Russian oil purchases—have raised eyebrows. These remarks show frustration from Trump’s side, especially because India hasn’t given in to American pressure.
India, however, has handled the situation with maturity. Instead of reacting with anger, the Indian government has stayed focused on its long-term goals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even clarified in Parliament that no foreign leader, including Trump, ever advised him to “stop the war” with Pakistan, debunking Trump’s earlier claims. The government’s response has been firm but measured, refusing to be drawn into unnecessary drama.
Trump’s aggressive behaviour seems to be a part of his larger strategy—bully countries into deals that benefit the US politically. He’s done this with Japan, the EU, and now India. But India hasn’t budged. In fact, India’s economy is far from “dead.” It’s currently the fastest-growing major economy and the fourth largest in the world. Trade with the US is strong—worth $132 billion in the last year.
Instead of recognising this strong relationship, Trump is now trying to twist facts and create conflict. But New Delhi is not reacting impulsively. India is simply playing the long game, showing restraint while still preparing for possible countermeasures.
Though India hasn’t responded with retaliation yet, it does have several powerful options on the table if tensions escalate. For example, India could impose its own tariffs on US products like steel and aluminium. It could also limit cooperation on defence deals—some of which are already seeing delays. Reports suggest India may not be interested in buying American F-35 fighter jets anymore, especially since the US isn’t offering technology sharing.
Another area where India could push back is digital and education services. Indian students are a major source of income for American universities. If India redirects these students to other countries or focuses on improving its own universities, it could reduce this outflow. India could also apply tighter rules on tech giants like Google and Amazon or push forward new data privacy laws that make it harder for US companies to operate freely.
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There’s also a wider geopolitical impact. India may lean more towards groups like BRICS or even strengthen old ties with Russia and China through forums like RIC (Russia-India-China). While the US wants India to focus on the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific, India could choose to build partnerships with other countries in the region, such as Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines—nations that are not demanding one-sided deals.
Trump’s threats could end up pushing India away, harming the very relationship he claims to value. His criticism may also damage trust in US diplomacy. When a partner constantly changes its stance and tries to bully the other side, long-term cooperation becomes difficult.
Trump has a habit of offering flashy deals—verbal promises, quick wins, but no real commitments. He likes to claim victory before the real work is done. India, however, wants more than just optics. It wants deals that are legal, fair, and stable in the long run.
In this light, India may choose to agree “in principle” to certain things just to keep negotiations going. But it will not sign anything that puts its core interests at risk. India knows Trump may eventually back down—just as he has in other cases—so it is staying patient.
At the core, Trump sees tariffs as a way to bring money into the US Treasury. His administration has already collected around $150 billion this way. But for India, tariffs are not just about money—they are about dignity and sovereignty. Being forced into a bad deal will never sit well with a country that is proud of its independent foreign policy.
India and the US are important partners, but partnership requires mutual respect. Trump’s recent approach is short-sighted. It risks damaging ties that have taken decades to build. While there is still time for him to change his stance and repair the damage, the trust that’s been broken won’t be easy to rebuild.
India, meanwhile, is not weak or isolated. It has other partners, strong economic fundamentals, and the patience to wait things out. In this game of pressure and power, India has more than enough cards to play—and it knows exactly when to play them.
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