According to a report in the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to take four phone calls from U.S. President Donald Trump in recent weeks. This comes amidst escalating trade disputes and strained relations between the two countries.

The German newspaper suggests that Modi's reluctance to engage with Trump reflects "the depth of his anger, but also his caution". The report did not cite the source of its claim. Nikkei Asia also ran a similar report about Modi avoiding the US President's calls, "heightening Trump's frustration".

The backdrop to this diplomatic coldness is a rapidly souring relationship between the U.S. and India, testing what both sides have previously termed a crucial 21st-century partnership. Trade tensions have been a major factor, with Trump imposing a 50% tariff on some Indian goods, a figure higher than that applied to most other nations, with the exception of Brazil. These tariffs follow earlier disputes over India's trade surplus with the U.S. and its continued import of crude oil from Russia despite Western sanctions. A U.S. Senator even introduced a bill proposing tariffs of up to 500% on countries, including India, that continue to trade oil with Russia.

Adding to the friction, Trump has repeatedly claimed to have averted a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, often citing trade as leverage. These claims have been widely characterized by American analysts as delusional and a ploy to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Furthermore, Modi reportedly declined an invitation to visit Washington in late June after a G-20 meeting.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that Modi appeared offended by Trump's "dead economy" remark made on August 10, 2025, and that Modi is pushing India to become one of the world's top three economies. The newspaper also observed that while Modi had previously maintained a cooperative relationship with Trump without compromising India's economic interests, Trump's repeated attempts to persuade Modi to yield were a surprising element of the current situation.

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has emphasized India's right to make decisions in its national interest and has advocated for diversified supply chains. He acknowledged ongoing discussions with the U.S. regarding trade but stressed the importance of protecting the interests of Indian farmers.

Some experts suggest that U.S.-India relations are currently at their lowest point in decades. Biswajit Dhar, a trade economist, told Al Jazeera that dozens of other countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, face lower tariffs than India.

Despite these challenges, dialogue between the two nations continues. However, the suspension of a planned visit by U.S. trade representatives and India's firm stance on its "red lines" in negotiations suggest that a breakthrough is not imminent. The situation highlights the growing divergence between the two countries on trade, energy, and strategic autonomy, potentially impacting the future of their relationship.