Today, Explained Trump and Modi’s broken bromance
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Sep 4, 2025 
Josh Keating, a Vox.com writer focused on international affairs, dives deep into the shifting alliance between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump. Once inseparable, their bond has withered, with Modi now aligning closer to Russia’s Putin. Keating discusses key events like the Houston rally that signified their camaraderie and examines the geopolitical ramifications of India's new strategies amidst growing tensions with China. The episode sheds light on the fragility of diplomatic ties in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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Handshakes And Huge Rallies
- Narendra Modi and Donald Trump staged large public rallies together, famously holding hands at the Howdy Modi event in Houston.
- Modi then hosted the Namaste Trump rally in Ahmedabad, drawing massive crowds and public displays of camaraderie.
Why India Matters Strategically
- The U.S. has long courted India because of its population, economy, military size, and border dispute with China.
- Those factors made India a central pillar of American strategy in the Indo-Pacific for decades.
Personal Slights Became Trade Fallout
- The relationship fractured after Trump publicly claimed credit for mediating a India-Pakistan ceasefire on Truth Social, creating embarrassment for Modi.
- Trump then imposed large tariffs on India, turning personal slights into significant economic retaliation.