Thank you, Narendra: Trump’s olive branch after weeks of India-bashing on oil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump reconnect after months of strained ties.

After months of tensions over tariffs and India’s Russian oil imports, US President Donald Trump softened his tone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a warm birthday call.

Since a testy phone exchange in June, New Delhi and Washington had been at odds, with Trump imposing punitive tariffs and repeatedly criticising India’s energy deals with Moscow. Modi, meanwhile, kept his distance—declining invitations and ignoring several calls.

On Modi’s 75th birthday, Trump picked up the phone, calling it a “wonderful conversation” and praising Modi’s leadership as well as his efforts toward peace in Ukraine. Modi responded warmly on X, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening the India-US partnership.

The birthday call is being seen as a potential thaw in ties, with both sides signalling progress on stalled trade talks. Whether this softening also extends to Washington’s stance on Russian oil remains to be seen.