‘Trump Realised India Won’t Back Down’: Ex-Diplomat Reacts to US President’s Softer Tone, Takes ‘Triple-T’ Dig
Ex-diplomat KP Fabian says Trump’s tariffs on India were baseless and notes the US President softened his tone, calling India-US ties “very special.” PM Modi reciprocates warmly.
Former US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi during a past meeting, highlighting the “very special” India-US relationship.
Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian has slammed Donald Trump’s trade tariffs on India, calling them baseless, while noting that the US President seems to have softened his approach after realising India won’t surrender to trade pressure. Fabian coined the term “Triple-T” — Trumped-up Trump Tariff — to describe the 25% duties imposed on Indian goods and an additional 25% levy on India’s Russian oil imports.
Fabian explained, “The tariffs were without any solid basis and underestimated India’s determination. Prime Minister Modi responded appropriately to a cordial tweet, but this doesn’t mean the so-called 'Triple-T' is over. However, it’s now reasonably clear that President Trump has begun to realise his expectation that India would yield under pressure was mistaken.”
He added, “What Trump needs to understand is that India is India — a civilisational state. India cannot be a meek follower. We want to be friends with everyone and do business, but we do not take dictation.”
The remarks come after Trump publicly acknowledged the “very special” ties between India and the US while affirming his friendship with PM Narendra Modi. Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump said, “I always will. I’ll always be friends with PM Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister. I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a very special relationship. There is nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasion.”
PM Modi responded warmly on Saturday, expressing his appreciation for Trump’s sentiments. Sharing a post on X, he described India-US relations as “forward-looking” and highlighted the Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership between the two nations. He wrote, “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking partnership.”
