India’s stance on Trump cools as US midterms approach

New Delhi’s relationship with President Donald Trump has markedly cooled ahead of the United States midterm elections, analysts say.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Trump at a rally in Houston, describing him as “warm, friendly, accessible, energetic, and full of wit,” and even urged Indian‑American voters to support a “Trump sarkaar.” At the time, Modi was rallying the diaspora ahead of the 2020 US presidential election.

Seven years later, Indian officials have become openly critical of the Trump administration. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar recently described the US as an “insensitive partner” on terrorism, accused it of warming to Pakistan, and condemned its “self‑centred” trade policies that hurt the Global South.

Trade talks have stalled, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying negotiations have hit a “plateau” that may be difficult to overcome. The lack of progress on a bilateral trade deal has been a major point of tension.

Historically, India has enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, with stronger ties under Republican presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George W Bush, while Democratic administrations have been more critical of India’s human‑rights record. The current strain suggests New Delhi may prefer a Trump humbled by potential midterm losses.

Source: Al Jazeera. Photo: Ramaz Bluashvili / Pexels.