Internal divisions within the Donald J. Trump administration are complicating efforts to repair strained U.S.-India relations.
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer proposed a trade deal including major Indian tariff cuts, President Trump rejected it, demanding India reduce Russian oil imports.
Meanwhile, Trump adviser Peter Navarro has escalated tensions with inflammatory remarks about India’s role in the Ukraine conflict. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deepened ties with China and Russia, attending a regional summit and signaling India’s strategic pivot away from Washington.
Domestically, Modi has emphasized economic self-reliance and rejected U.S. pressure, saying India will not sacrifice its farmers or key industries. Analysts warn that the U.S. approach may damage long-term cooperation and trust.