Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Former Indian Diplomat Criticizes Ex-RBI Governor's Remarks on Modi-Trump Friendship Amid Tariffs
A former top diplomat in India, Kanwal Sibal, disagreed with a former central banker, Raghuram Rajan.
Rajan had said that the supposedly good friendship between India's leader, Modi, and America's ex-leader, Trump, didn't actually help India much.
Rajan pointed out that America put very high prices, called tariffs, on things from India (50%) but much lower prices on things from Pakistan (19%).
Sibal called Rajan's comments a 'cheap shot' and said Trump's prices were always about his own country's gain, not about being friends.
Sibal believes India, under Modi, bravely stood up for fair trade and didn't act like Pakistan, which he suggested was more willing to follow US demands.
Sibal thinks friendship shouldn't mean India giving up its own interests, like opening its markets too much or accepting certain types of crops.
Rajan, however, felt that despite joint military activities, the high tariffs were a disappointment and a political embarrassment for Modi.
Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal criticized former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan's remarks about the Modi-Trump relationship.
Sibal called Rajan's comments, which questioned the India-US friendship due to tariff disparities, a 'cheap political blow.'
Rajan had highlighted a 50% US tariff on India versus 19% on Pakistan, questioning the strength of the Modi-Trump 'friendship.'
Sibal argued that Trump's tariffs were driven by self-interest and not personal friendships, affecting allies as well.
Sibal asserted that India under Modi maintained its dignity and refused to be subservient, unlike Pakistan, and should not compromise national interests for friendship.
- Who
- Kanwal Sibal (Former Foreign Secretary), Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor)
- What
- Kanwal Sibal criticized Raghuram Rajan's remarks questioning the Modi-Trump friendship due to trade tariff disparities, calling them a 'cheap political blow.'
- When
- Sibal's remarks were made on Sunday, November 10th, in response to recent comments by Rajan.
- Where
- Rajan made his comments at an event hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Sibal responded on X (formerly Twitter).
- Why
- Sibal argued that Trump's tariffs were based on self-interest and not a reflection of friendship, and that India under Modi maintained its dignity by not succumbing to unfair trade terms, unlike Pakistan.
Kanwal Sibal's View
Raghuram Rajan's View
Nature of Trump's Tariffs
Kanwal Sibal's View
Trump's tariffs are driven by 'obsessive self-interest' and not indicative of personal friendships; he imposed unilateral tariffs even on close allies.
Raghuram Rajan's View
The significant tariff disparity (50% on India vs. 19% on Pakistan) contradicts the 'friendship' lauded between Modi and Trump, leading to disappointment in India.
India's Stance Under Modi
Kanwal Sibal's View
India under Modi has maintained dignity and stood firm against unfair trade terms, refusing to be equated with Pakistan and avoiding subservience to Trump.
Raghuram Rajan's View
India is disappointed by the high tariffs, especially given the focus on 'military friendship and alignments,' suggesting the personal equation did not yield meaningful benefits.
Economic and Political Implications
Kanwal Sibal's View
Questions if Rajan implies India should be subservient or compromise national interests (like agriculture, GMOs, energy policy) in the name of friendship with Trump.
Raghuram Rajan's View
The tariffs have disappointed India, impacting people and businesses, and creating political challenges as the opposition questions the touted friendship.
- Raghuram Rajan's Stated Tariff Rate for India
- 50%
- Raghuram Rajan's Stated Tariff Rate for Pakistan
- 19%
- Kanwal Sibal's Role
- Former Foreign Secretary of India
- Raghuram Rajan's Role
- Former RBI Governor
- Event where Rajan spoke
- Conversation hosted by Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Sibal's Platform
- X (formerly Twitter)
Sources
‘19% for Pakistan, 50% for India’: Raghuram Rajan questions friendship between Trump and Modi
Raghuram Rajan questions Modi-Trump ‘friendship’ amid tariff disparity, says Washington ‘cannot be trusted’
