Report: Modi Declined Trump Meeting Over Possible Encounter with Pakistan Army Chief
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly turned down a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in June due to concerns that it could lead to a potential encounter with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Citing officials in New Delhi, the report claims that Modi was wary Trump might facilitate an unscheduled meeting between him and the Pakistani Army Chief if both were present at the White House at the same time.
Strains in U.S.-India Relations
The Bloomberg report highlights growing tensions between Washington and New Delhi in recent months. American officials say Trump continued to claim credit for helping prevent a nuclear conflict, a narrative that Indian diplomats began publicly disputing.
Tensions came to a head during a June 17 phone call between Trump and Modi, held shortly after the U.S. president left the G7 summit in Canada early, missing a planned in-person meeting with the Indian leader.
Escalation and Trade Disputes
The strained ties escalated further when Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian exports to the United States. Earlier this month, the U.S. president criticized India’s economy, calling it “dead” with “obnoxious” trade barriers, and accused New Delhi of showing little concern for Ukrainian casualties in the war with Russia.
Modi and Trump have not spoken since their June phone conversation.
This reported diplomatic episode sheds light on the complex interplay of geopolitical rivalries, trade disputes, and personal diplomacy shaping current U.S.-India relations.
