Why Trump Called Modi on His Birthday: Can He Be Trusted? Modi Vindicated?

This outreach was notable as relations had recently soured. Their last call on June 17 reportedly ended on a bitter note, and Trump’s tariff policies had placed 50% duties on Indian goods, including a 25% “penalty” linked to Russian oil purchases. However, the birthday call is now being viewed as a reset, coinciding with the resumption of trade talks.

To decode these developments, Barkha Dutt hosted a distinguished panel including Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherji, geopolitical strategist Vina Chakarova, author-journalist Chidanand Rajghatta, and analyst Cyrus Janssen.

• Ambassador Mukherji stressed that India “did not blink first,” noting Modi’s birthday allowed Trump to dial without losing face.

• Rajghatta highlighted US domestic pressures, especially the farm crisis, as a key factor behind Trump’s change in tone.

• Janssen argued India’s calm diplomacy proved effective against Trump’s unpredictability, unlike smaller nations that folded under pressure.

• Chakarova added that tariffs were about more than trade, reflecting larger geopolitical realignments.

Despite this thaw, concerns remain about trust and Trump’s volatility. As Barkha Dutt concluded, while the warmth of the birthday call is welcome, India has learned to hedge strategically and prioritize its own interests first.