Amidst recent strains in the relationship between Washington and Delhi, particularly concerning tariffs and India's purchase of Russian oil, U.S. President Donald Trump has affirmed that the United States and India share a "special relationship" and that there is "nothing to worry about". He acknowledged occasional "moments" between the two nations.

Trump expressed his continued friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "great Prime Minister". However, he voiced his disapproval of Modi's recent actions, specifically India's continued purchase of oil from Russia, which led to the imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods. Trump stated, "I'll always be friends with (PM) Modi… He's great. But I just don't like what he is doing at this particular moment".

These remarks follow Trump's earlier statement on social media where he suggested that the U.S. had "lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China". He later clarified that he did not believe this to be the case.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has emphasized the importance of the India-U.S. strategic partnership, highlighting shared interests, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties. An MEA spokesperson stated, "This relationship between the United States and India is very important for us... We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to, and we hope the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests". The MEA also confirmed ongoing engagement with the U.S. on trade issues.

Despite the recent tensions, including the imposition of tariffs and disagreements over India's energy ties with Russia, there remains optimism that the India-U.S. relationship will weather the storm. Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that the bilateral relations would overcome the current "blips," as they have in the past.

The current situation has led to discussions about India's foreign policy and its relationships with other major powers. While India remains committed to its principle of "strategic autonomy," seeking a wide range of partnerships to bolster its interests, the recent strain in relations with the U.S. has prompted some to suggest a closer alignment with China and Russia. However, India continues to engage with the U.S. on trade issues. Negotiations between India and the U.S. began in March and have gone through five rounds so far.

Despite the existing challenges, both countries have signaled a renewed interest in re-engagement, particularly in the areas of economic and trade cooperation.