Report: Modi Refused Trump’s Calls Amid Tensions
Summary of the Article (FAZ, 26 August 2025)
The article reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly tried to call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent weeks, but Modi has declined to answer.
FAZ claims that Trump tried to call Modi four times in recent weeks but that Modi refused the calls. pic.twitter.com/ey4qq7qqWA
— Thorsten Benner (@thorstenbenner) August 25, 2025
The piece frames Modi’s refusal as part of a broader diplomatic strategy. It recalls how more than a decade ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Modi in Gujarat, strengthening ties. Today, India is wary of repeating mistakes of over-dependence on the U.S., and instead is cultivating closer relations with China, despite past conflicts.
The FAZ notes that India is dissatisfied with U.S. trade policies, particularly tariffs on key exports like clothing, gems, jewelry, and auto parts. Indian exports to the U.S. have fallen sharply, from over 9% of total exports to just 5.5%. Trump’s unpredictability is seen as a risk in India.
The article highlights that Modi’s government prefers to avoid Trump’s “transactional” style, which demands visible concessions. Analysts argue that India seeks to maintain strategic independence, refusing to become merely a U.S. counterweight to China.
The piece also points out Trump’s domestic unpopularity in India. A Pew survey revealed only 24% of Indians expressed confidence in him, compared to much higher numbers for Germany’s Scholz. Delhi is also irritated by Trump’s property empire in India, with expensive apartments viewed as symbols of exploitation.
In conclusion, FAZ portrays Modi’s silence toward Trump as a calculated snub — part of a strategy to safeguard India’s autonomy, manage its delicate ties with both China and the U.S., and avoid being dragged into Trump’s unpredictable global maneuvering.
