India Chooses Restraint Over Reaction In Handling Volatile Ties
Global diplomacy has turned into a high-stakes reality show under US President Donald Trump. His recent actions have sent shockwaves through Europe, proving that loyalty creates no safety net when dealing with the White House. French President Emmanuel Macron faced embarrassment when his private messages were leaked following disputes over Greenland. Similarly, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced harsh criticism regarding the Chagos Island deal merely hours after praising his friendship with the US leader.
Amid this chaos, India stands apart. While traditional US allies scramble to manage public humiliations and leaked chats, Modi Trump diplomacy has shielded New Delhi from the worst of the fallout. India’s strategy relies not on public confrontation, but on strategic silence and calculated patience.
Europe Learns the Hard Way
Since the start of the year, tensions have escalated. Europe watched quietly as the US made aggressive moves in Venezuela, but the silence did not save them. When Trump turned his sights on Greenland, European opposition was met with threats of 25% additional tariffs. Even existing trade agreements failed to protect the UK and EU nations from these economic penalties. It became clear that for Trump, relationships are purely transactional.
India’s Playbook: Silence is Golden
India realized early on that tariffs under Trump 2.0 are geopolitical weapons, not just economic tools. Despite facing the highest tariff imposition of 50% - including levies on Russian oil purchases - New Delhi refused to panic. Unlike Pakistan, which resorted to flattery, or European leaders who engaged in public wars of words, Indian officials maintained a disciplined silence.
Tensions did flare up. A heated phone call took place on June 17, where Prime Minister Modi reportedly stood firm, refusing to credit the US for regional ceasefires or engage in discussions about the Nobel Peace Prize. However, unlike the French President, PM Modi did not let these disagreements spill into the public domain.
Controlling the Narrative
India’s approach involved delaying lopsided trade deals that would hurt domestic agriculture. Instead of reacting to daily insults or labels like "laundromat for the Kremlin," India focused on strengthening ties elsewhere. PM Modi’s visits to the SCO Summit and interactions with Vladimir Putin signaled that India has strategic alternatives.
Furthermore, India mastered the art of narrative control. Reports suggest PM Modi strategically avoided several calls to prevent misinterpretation of talks. When conversations did happen, such as on the Prime Minister’s birthday, India ensured its version of the discussion was released first.
