First in 16 months: Modi and Trump exchange pleasantries amid strained India-U.S. ties

Summary

Subscribed with another email? Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India last month, the two sides were now looking at rebuilding the bilateral ties. The relations witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India and President Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India–Pakistan military clashes last May. New Delhi stoutly maintained that the cessation of the hostilities was A result of talks between India and Pakistan, and the US involvement had nothing to do with it. Washington's new immigration policy and its decision to increase the H-1B work visa visa fee also contributed to the slide in India-U.S. ties. Last week, the relations came under fresh strain after three Indian sailors were killed following the US military's attacks on three merchant vessels off the coast of Oman. Three Indians from one of the vessels were killed in the strikes following which New Delhi summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires Jason Meeks and told him that the American military’s “lethal and deadly” strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members is “unacceptable”. The top American diplomat described India as the "cornerstone" of Washington's approach towards the Indo-Pacific. Modi has travelled to France for the G7 summit as India was invited as a guest country to the summit. Narendra Modi / Donald Trump / USA / India-United States Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences.