TV
A report published by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a prominent German daily, has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi allegedly did not respond to as many as four phone calls from US President Donald Trump during a period of heightened trade tensions between the two countries.
The newspaper suggested that the Indian Prime Minister may have felt ‘insulted’, noting that his reported refusal to engage with Trump over the phone signaled a deep sense of irritation and caution. However, the report did not disclose its sources.
The speculation comes at a time when the United States has imposed steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, following a breakdown in trade negotiations and New Delhi’s decision to continue purchasing oil from Russia.
This is not the first time such claims have surfaced. Nikkei Asia, a leading Japanese outlet, had earlier reported that Modi appeared to avoid Trump’s calls, further frustrating the former US President. A US-based diplomat told The Times of India that Prime Minister Modi generally avoids discussing negotiation details over phone conversations, but did not confirm the accuracy of the German report.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously clarified that no call took place between April 22 and June 17. The two leaders eventually spoke on June 17, following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. During the 35-minute call, PM Modi reportedly briefed Trump on Operation Sindoor and India’s counterterrorism measures, reiterating that India does not accept third-party mediation in its security matters with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, over recent months, Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for averting a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, assertions that New Delhi has consistently rejected.
