Trump says he had ‘wonderful’ call with Modi amid tensions

President Trump spoke Tuesday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering praise for Modi despite recent tensions between the two countries over India’s reliance on Russian oil.

“Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday!” Trump posted on Truth Social as he was flying to the United Kingdom. “He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!”

The post had a much more cordial tone than recent interactions between the U.S. and India.

Trump last month doubled tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent over its purchases of Russian oil and gas, with the Trump administration saying those purchases had helped fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Modi earlier this month joined Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping  at a summit in Tianjin, China, where the leaders embraced one another and spoke about the importance of their respective relationships.

Experts viewed the meeting as an indication the three nations were forming a closer partnership to counter the U.S. and its allies. India in particular was viewed as moving closer to China and Russia in response to the tariffs from the U.S.

“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China,” Trump posted on Truth Social at the time. “May they have a long and prosperous future together!”