American singer Mary Millben has welcomed the renewed trade dialogue between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it an example of how “friends negotiate”.
Trump on Tuesday announced the resumption of trade talks with India, framing the move as an attempt to dismantle barriers between the two countries and reach a breakthrough agreement.
Millben amplified the mood of reconciliation on X, posting, “This is how friends negotiate. With mutual respect, understanding, and shared common ground. This is the @POTUS and PM @narendramodi I know. We need each other and we are stronger together. Our alliance sets a moral and economic compass for the world. And a pathway to peace”.
The American singer’s response came hours after Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he looked forward to speaking with his “very good friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming weeks.
“I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations. I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks,” Trump wrote.
PM Modi responded with equal optimism, stressing that the negotiations would help unlock the “limitless potential” of the India-US partnership.
“India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people,” PM Modi posted on X.
Trump had earlier imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 7, 2025, citing New Delhi’s oil purchases from Russia, and then doubled the duty to 50 per cent as punishment. Washington claimed India’s imports indirectly helped Moscow fund its war in Ukraine.
Last month, Millben voiced alarm over the United States’ tariff escalation on India, warning that the “muscular verbiage” between Trump and PM Modi was unsettling both sides, and hurting small businesses in India and the US.
“I’ll say again: America needs India, and India needs America. Any direction in policy that strains our strategic alliance is the wrong direction. @POTUS and @NarendraModi, my beloved leaders, this exchange of ‘muscular verbiage’ on tariffs is troubling us all. Furthermore, countless small businesses in the US and India are hurting in this ‘tariff tug of war.’ I speak to them daily. Remember, we need each other. Negotiate as real friends. Find common ground. Your legacies and the well-being of our countries depend on this moment,” she had said.
Notably, Millben first met PM Modi during his state visit to the United States in June 2023. That year, she performed the Indian national anthem at Washington’s Ronald Reagan Building. After the performance, she touched PM Modi’s feet to seek his blessings, a gesture that drew wide media attention.
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