An agreement on the trade deal between India and the United States has been reached, which President Donald Trump and his allies are showcasing as a major triumph for the American people. However, a report has turned these claims on their head. The report asserts that India took strong objection to Trump’s stubborn approach and expressed willingness to wait for his term to conclude if the trade deal fell through.
According to the report, during a private meeting in early September 2025 between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, India adopted a firm stance. Doval made it clear to Rubio that India was not intimidated by the threats from Donald Trump and his associates and could wait until 2029, if necessary, for a trade agreement. The meeting reportedly occurred while the Trump administration continuously attacked the Modi government, imposing a 50% tariff on Indian exports, the highest at that time.
'Stop Criticizing India'
As per Bloomberg’s report, Ajit Doval reminded Marco Rubio that India has withstood many adverse US administrations in the past. He demanded that Trump and his officials cease public criticism of India to restore relations amicably.
'No Acceptance of Bullying'
Doval clarified that India would not accept any form of bullying. Following this meeting, by the end of September, there was a noticeable softening in Trump’s demeanor, as evidenced by his phone call to wish Prime Minister Modi a happy birthday. The report is based on inputs from Delhi officials who shared information on condition of anonymity due to confidentiality.
Why Relations Soured
The tension between India and the United States escalated when New Delhi discredited Trump's ceasefire claims during the India-Pakistan war in May 2025. Afterward, Trump's confidants like Navarro launched personal attacks on PM Modi, attributing the Ukraine war to ‘Modi’s war’ due to India's purchase of Russian oil. Amidst this animosity, the US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods.
Trump's Major Announcement
On Sunday, Donald Trump, bypassing protocol in his usual manner, announced the finalization of the trade deal with India on 'Truth Social'. Although Prime Minister Modi confirmed discussions, he refrained from disclosing deal specifics.
India's Confirmation
Following this, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the India-US trade deal on Tuesday, stating that the negotiations had reached a conclusion. While Trump is promoting this deal as a significant victory for American farmers, India has constantly viewed the agriculture and dairy sectors as its non-negotiable limits. Meanwhile, with the deal details yet to surface fully, opposition parties in India have started questioning the government, asking if India has succumbed to US pressure. However, the report of Doval and Rubio's meeting suggests that the Modi government might have secured the trade deal without capitulating.
On the other hand, with US mid-term elections on the horizon, Trump is labeling this as a monumental achievement.
