The Rachman Review

What next for India as Trump-Modi friendship sours?

15 snips
Aug 14, 2025
Tanvi Madan, a foreign policy expert and author of a notable history of US-India relations, joins to discuss the cooling friendship between Trump and Modi. She highlights the impact of recent tariffs on India’s economy and Modi’s 'Make in India' initiative. With tensions rising after military conflicts and Trump's favorable stance towards Pakistan, the conversation delves into India's complex balancing act regarding oil imports from Russia. Madan also explores how these geopolitical shifts could redefine India's strategic alliances.
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INSIGHT

A Rarely Severe Diplomatic Break

  • US-India ties face their toughest moment since 1998 because multiple disagreements piled up quickly.
  • The strategic China convergence that previously smoothed tensions is weakening under Trump.
INSIGHT

Personality Shapes Policy Fallout

  • Trump's personal mood and desire for credit shaped his reactions during the India-Pakistan crisis.
  • Those personal dynamics have made the bilateral rift more politically costly for Modi at home.
ANECDOTE

Past Signs Trump Wasn’t Always Pro‑India

  • Tanvi Madan recounts Trump praising Pakistan and offering to mediate Kashmir in his first term.
  • She notes Trump meeting Imran Khan soon after an India-Pakistan crisis as an example of past differences.
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