Quad Summit Participation in India By Trump in Doubt as US-India Relations Strain

The United States’ refusal to mediate between Pakistan and India has emerged as a major factor contributing to India’s diplomatic and economic challenges, according to a report by Business Standard, quoting the New York Times.

The report highlights that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies have left India increasingly isolated on the global stage. Questions have arisen over US President Donald Trump’s participation in the upcoming Quad Summit in New Delhi, scheduled for November. The summit is expected to include leaders from Australia, Japan, and the United States.

The New York Times report claims that President Trump currently has no plans to attend the summit in India. Tensions between the US and India reportedly intensified after Trump repeatedly offered to mediate in the Pakistan-India conflict, a proposal that New Delhi firmly rejected.

Trump is said to have reiterated his willingness to facilitate a ceasefire more than 40 times. Relations were further strained when the US imposed a 25 percent tariff on India over continued oil purchases from Russia, a move perceived as a punishment for not aligning with Washington’s policies. The report noted that India has been specifically targeted with these tariffs.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that Prime Minister Modi had categorically rejected any third-party mediation, telling Trump that India would never accept outside involvement in its disputes with Pakistan. Despite this, Trump reportedly continued to press his mediation claims, frustrating Indian leadership.

The growing rift between Modi and Trump became evident when the two leaders skipped a planned meeting after the G7 Summit, with Trump departing early for Washington. Disagreements over mediation and Trump’s refusal to support Modi’s Nobel Peace Prize bid further widened the divide.

Observers suggest that Modi’s uncompromising stance has limited India’s global engagement, leaving both citizens and investors facing an uncertain future. While Trump’s mediation efforts are being portrayed as a diplomatic victory in Pakistan, they are seen in India as a significant setback.

Read More: Foreign policy expert Mamedov: How Trump shifted US stance towards Pakistan