President Donald Trump appears to have extended an olive branch to India during a press conference on Friday. He said that he will always be friends with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also remarked that India and the United States share a special relationship.
"I will always be friends with Modi. He is great. I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment. India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion."
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) September 5, 2025
Donald Trump offers India an olive branch! pic.twitter.com/DZrcbMTv4f
Narendra Modi has accepted the olive branch graciously. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he “deeply appreciate(s) and fully reciprocate(s) President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties.” He added, “India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”
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There is no concrete thaw in the India-US relations yet and the comments from the leaders of the respective countries only indicates that there is potential for it. It also confirms that negotiations are ongoing behind closed doors to reach an amicable solution that benefits both parties.
Having said that, there is something that Donald Trump must do in order to demonstrate that he really means what he says. He has to take appropriate actions to ensure that his officials speak to India in a dignified, formal and courteous manner.
Friendly words from Trump ring hollow when his officials appear on news channels on a daily basis to speak about India in the vilest of ways. If the likes of Peter Navarro, Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick continue with their outrageous comments, it only means that the Trump Administration is playing Good Cop-Bad Cop.
MAGA influencers and their anti-India Campaign
Prominent MAGA influencers such as Jack Posobiec, Charlie Kirk and Laura Loomer have initiated a very toxic campaign against India. It is hard to believe that they are doing so without active encouragement from the Trump Administration.
While racism against Indians on X has unfortunately been mainstream for quite a while, it’s fairly recently that top MAGA influencers with close ties to the Trump Administration have started participating in it. It not only undermines the potential for fruitful negotiations, it also puts Indian Americans at risk of physical harm.
There has been a spate of attacks against Indians and people of Indian origin in countries around the West. When top MAGA influencers engage in rhetoric that exacerbates bigotry against Indians, it puts Indians Americans in a very precarious situation.
Peter Navarro even retweeted a post from Jack Posobiec demanding tariffs on foreign remote workers, which would affect Indians disproportionately. It’s hard to take Trump seriously when his own officials are encouraging such callous remarks.
Donald Trump should put his Hatchet Men on leash
If Donald Trump really believes India-US ties are special, then he should take active measures to stop his officials and influencers from engaging in anti-India bigotry. Running with the hare and hunting with the hound is extremely inappropriate during negotiations.
Anti-India bigotry from influential MAGA accounts is extremely detrimental for a conducive people-to-people relationship. Some part of it is organic, certainly, but significant portions of it now are clearly encouraged by the US Government.
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The Trump Administration should also take measures against Khalistanis who engage in Separatist Activism from American soil. Recently, a Khalistani truck driver was charged with vehicular homicide following a truck accident. 3 people lost their lives. Gurpwatwant Singh Pannun rushed to his defence and has spoken out in his favour.
Pannun is a rabid anti-India Khalistani terrorist. It is bewildering that he continues to enjoy immunity from US Law Enforcement despite advocating violence. Indian NSA Ajit Doval told his American counterpart upfront during the Biden Administration that Pannun is a CIA asset.
Such games must end. Putting an end to such games is the bare minimum Donald Trump can do to demonstrate that he meant what he said. Unless it comes to pass, it only means that the Trump Administration is just playing another game of Good Cop-Bad Cop.
