New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call in June, after Trump suggested that India support his bid for the Nobel Peace Prize by crediting him for brokering a ceasefire with Pakistan, according to a report in The New York Times.
The call, held on June 17, turned tense when Trump repeated his claim that his intervention helped end the brief India–Pakistan military flare-up earlier this year. Modi, however, pushed back firmly, insisting that New Delhi had negotiated the ceasefire directly with Islamabad without American involvement.
Sources cited in the report say the exchange marked a turning point in the relationship between the two leaders, once viewed as close allies. Following the call, Trump and Modi have not spoken again, highlighting the sharp downturn in personal and diplomatic ties.
Relations worsened further when Trump imposed punitive tariffs on Indian exports — initially 25%, later raised to 50% — in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. The move has fueled trade tensions and strained cooperation between Washington and New Delhi.
The fallout was compounded by diplomatic optics. Modi skipped a possible White House stopover during a recent overseas tour, while Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief in Washington for a photo opportunity, an image seen in India as deeply provocative.
Analysts warn that the episode reflects a serious fracture in U.S.–India ties, with potential consequences for the Quad alliance — which also includes Japan and Australia — and for broader Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
Observers also note that Modi’s recent outreach to Asian and Eurasian partners signals New Delhi’s attempt to recalibrate its foreign policy amid growing strains with Washington.