Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China and tensions rise between New Delhi and Washington over new US tariffs, the US Embassy in India has emphasised the strength of bilateral relations.
In a post on Monday, the embassy described the India–US partnership as a “defining relationship of the 21st century," highlighting the breadth of cooperation between the two countries.
“This month, we’re spotlighting the people, progress, and possibilities driving us forward. From innovation and entrepreneurship to defence and bilateral ties, it’s the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey," the embassy wrote.
The statement comes at a delicate moment in the relationship. The Trump administration’s steep tariff hikes on Indian goods have drawn criticism in New Delhi, while Washington has expressed unease over India’s continued energy ties with Russia.
Mentioning the close relationship between India and US, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “The enduring friendship between our two peoples is the bedrock of our cooperation and propels us forward as we realise the tremendous potential of our economic relationship."
Diplomatic observers note that the embassy’s messaging is aimed at reinforcing continuity in the partnership, even as trade frictions and geopolitical differences create fresh strains.
By focusing on “people-to-people friendship" and “shared progress," Washington appears intent on projecting the relationship as resilient and forward-looking despite current challenges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin has drawn attention to the shifting equations in Asia, with his interactions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin seen as a signal of growing closeness among the three nations.
This shift comes against the backdrop of escalating tariff tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump, with India, China, and Russia finding greater alignment on trade, energy, and regional cooperation.
