Diplomatic Firestorm: German Paper Alleges Modi Snubbed Trump's Calls Amid Escalating Trade Tensions

A sensational report from a prominent German newspaper ignited a diplomatic firestorm, claiming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flatly refused to take four phone calls from then-US President Donald Trump. This explosive revelation, published by the German financial daily Handelsblatt, sent ripples through international relations, even as the Indian government swiftly and vehemently denied the allegations.

The alleged diplomatic snub reportedly occurred in August 2019, a period marked by significant strain in US-India trade relations.

Just months prior, the Trump administration had revoked India's preferential trade status under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, accusing New Delhi of failing to assure the US of 'equitable and reasonable access' to its markets. This move, which stripped India of duty-free access for billions of dollars worth of goods, had already cast a long shadow over bilateral ties.

According to Handelsblatt's report, which cited 'US government sources, including officials in the White House,' Modi had become increasingly frustrated with Trump's protectionist policies.

The newspaper claimed that the Indian leader's refusal to engage in direct phone conversations was a deliberate, albeit unprecedented, diplomatic move in response to the escalating trade war. The report suggested that the alleged rejections occurred over a tense few weeks as the trade dispute deepened.

However, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wasted no time in debunking the German paper's claims.

Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson for the MEA at the time, dismissed the report as 'baseless and factually incorrect.' He emphasized the frequent and robust communication channels between the two leaders, highlighting that India and the US enjoy a 'close and cordial relationship.'

Kumar further elaborated that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump were, in fact, in 'regular contact.' He cited specific instances of communication that directly contradicted the German paper's narrative.

For instance, he mentioned a phone call on August 19, 2019, concerning the situation in Afghanistan. Another crucial call took place on August 27, where Trump reportedly invited Modi to the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France, a meeting that both leaders subsequently attended.

Beyond these specific dates, the MEA also pointed to a congratulatory call from President Trump to Prime Minister Modi immediately after his re-election in May 2019, underscoring a pattern of consistent engagement.

The Indian government's firm stance was that communication lines remained fully open and active, making the Handelsblatt's sensational claim entirely without merit.

While the German newspaper's report undoubtedly caused a stir, the official responses from both sides (implied by the Indian denial and the lack of US official confirmation for Handelsblatt's report beyond anonymous sources) underscored the complexities of international diplomacy and media reporting.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the delicate balance in bilateral relations, particularly during periods of economic friction, and how quickly unverified reports can escalate into global headlines, demanding swift and clear clarification from the involved parties.