Trump:‘Very Close’ to India & PM Modi,but ‘Sanctioned Them’

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he shares a “very close” relationship with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as he acknowledged imposing sanctions on the country over its energy trade with Russia.Speaking at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the British premier’s countryside residence, Trump highlighted his personal rapport with Modi, noting that he had called the Indian leader to wish him on his 75th birthday earlier this week.
“I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday. We have a very good relationship, and he put out a beautiful statement too. But I sanctioned them,” Trump told reporters, in response to a question about his plans to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Trump’s call to Modi on Tuesday, a day before his birthday, is being seen as part of a broader US effort to reset ties with New Delhi amid recent strain over tariffs and sanctions. The Trump administration had earlier doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including an additional 25% levy linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "...I'm very close to India. I'm very close to the Prime Minister of India. Spoke to him the other day, wished him a happy birthday. We have a very good relationship. He put out a beautiful statement, too...But I said, I sanctioned them.… pic.twitter.com/uEXPWuLaUO

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2025

India has defended its energy imports from Russia, maintaining that procurement decisions are guided by national interest and market dynamics. “Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, Putin is going to drop out. He’s going to have no choice. He’s going to drop out of that war,” Trump said, justifying sanctions on countries, including European nations, China, and India, that continue to import Russian oil.During the press interaction, Trump described Putin as his “biggest disappointment” over the Ukraine conflict and reiterated his past claim about intervening in India-Pakistan tensions earlier this year.“We did seven (conflicts) and most of them were not thought to be settleable. We did India, and we did Pakistan. That’s two nuclear (countries). That was purely for trade. You [India and Pakistan] want to trade with us, you’re going to have to get along. And they were going at it hot and heavy,” Trump said.
The remarks were a reference to Operation Sindoor, launched by India in retaliation to a Pakistan-backed terrorist strike in Pahalgam in April. Trump had previously claimed credit for securing a “full and immediate” ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, though India has consistently denied any third-party intervention, clarifying that the understanding was reached through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.Concluding his two-day state visit to the UK with First Lady Melania Trump, the US President departed Chequers after the press conference to board Air Force One back to Washington.