NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to answer four phone calls from US President Donald Trump in recent weeks, German media reported, citing a frosty relationship between the two sides.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), President Trump tried to reach Modi on four occasions, but the Indian prime minister deliberately chose not to speak with POTUS.
The FAZ suggests that Modi’s tough stance reflects both his displeasure and cautious response to Washington’s pressure on New Delhi to stop importing Russian oil. The phone call snub reportedly coincided with rising trade tensions, including the US imposing a 50% tariff on India for continuing to buy oil from Russia.
New Delhi has also reportedly increased its purchases of discounted Russian oil, further fueling US frustration. FAZ notes that Modi’s decision not to return the calls was likely a calculated strategy to avoid being drawn into President Trump’s forceful negotiating style rather than a spontaneous move.
The development highlights the growing complexity of India-US relations, where strategic and economic interests often clash with diplomatic communications.
