German publication FAZ reveals that Donald Trump tried to call PM Modi four times in recent weeks. However, India refused to speak with Washington over a phone call! But the news or rumor is just a detail. In reality, it’s the crux of a new diplomatic chess match. Each missed call was deliberate, and PM Modi’s four-time refusal is a Diplomatic Masterstroke!
The reason for refusing to answer “The Call”? Trump’s notorious tactic of turning private calls into public bargaining chips.
India, already staring at a 50% effective tariff wall, wasn’t willing to fall into a Trump Trap. Instead, New Delhi has quietly shifted gears. Bharat hires Mercury Public Affairs, a lobbying powerhouse with deep Republican connections and ties to Trump. Mercury shall help India push back against Pakistan’s entrenched influence machine in Washington and to salvage the fragile balance in Indo–U.S. trade relations.
Why Did PM Modi Refuse Trump’s Calls?
Trump’s style of politics relies on turning simple phone calls into trophies.
The world saw how Vietnam’s President To Lam realized this ugly truth in July 2025. President Tao’s call with Trump was instantly spun into a victory lap for “Trumpet” on his Truth Social and the media. The call stated that Vietnam conceded to Zero tariffs on US goods. Unfortunately, Vietnam shall still pay a 20% Tariff to export to the USA! Hence, PM Modi knew every telephone ring from Washington was a trap.
Accepting the call would have allowed Trump to declare that India was seeking tariff relief. Thereby, painting New Delhi as the weaker partner in its alliance with the USA. In diplomacy, perception is as important as substance. By not answering, PM Modi chose silence over spin. It sent a signal: India won’t be dragged into Trump’s electoral theatrics.
India – US Relations Amid Tariff Escalation
The stakes in Trump’s Tariff War are massive. Trump’s decision to slap a sanction in the name of an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports. Thus, doubling the earlier 25% tariff brings total duties to a punishing 50% on key sectors. This isn’t symbolic; it’s economic imperialism by a world power based on incorrect trade deficit calculations.
- India’s $10.5 billion textile exports to the US are now squeezed.
- The pharmaceutical sector, worth nearly $8 billion annually in exports to America, is exempt from tariffs.
- The $2.6 billion marine export shall bear the brunt of Trump’s Tantrum.
- $3.5 billion Semi-precious and precious stonesas well as $5.7 billion precious metals‘ trade shall face Trump’s tariffs.
- IT services, India’s crown jewel, remain shielded for now. However, Trump’s trade rhetoric makes even that uncertain.
Unlike the Biden years, where disputes were handled through diplomatic channels and Deep State moves – Trump 2.0 thrives on confrontation. His tariffs are less about policy precision and more about domestic optics: “tough on foreign competitors.”
India-US ties, which were hailed as a strategic partnership till January 2025, are now mired in lost trust and shadows of suspicion as the world burns in tensions and war.
India’s Lobbying Gamble: Mercury Public Affairs
New Delhi has decided it cannot afford to play defense anymore. In a rare public filing, it emerged that India has hired Mercury Public Affairs for a $75,000-a-month, three-month contract. This is no ordinary lobbying firm.
- Mercury’s roster includes David Vitter, ex-Senator from Louisiana, with deep Republican ties.
- Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign aide and Fox News regular, is also in its ranks.
- The firm already represents high-profile governments like Qatar and Turkey, both of which saw concrete policy dividends from their investments.
For India, this is a sharp pivot. Until now, New Delhi has relied on Shaw, Hill & Welton (SHW Partners), spending around $1.8 million annually. But SHW is more Democratic-leaning. With Trump 2.0’s resistance to lobbying by pro-Democrat firms, India needed Republican access. It seems like Mercury is set to be the bridge to Washington.
This move also reflects urgency: a lobbying blitz during a tariff war is meant to keep India from losing the narrative battle in Washington.
Pakistan’s Influence Game in Washington
Here’s the bigger context: Pakistan has been playing this lobbying game for decades. Bhikaristan spends three times more than India on lobbying in the USA.
- Reportedly, in 2023 alone, Pakistan-linked entities spent $3.6 million on lobbying efforts in the US.
- Groups like the Pakistan American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC) and firms such as Fenton Communications have consistently pushed Islamabad’s line, particularly on Kashmir.
- During the Trump years, Pakistan leveraged its security role in Afghanistan to remain relevant, despite its failing economy.
NaPak’s Dividends of Lobbying – Texas declared March 23rd as “Pakistan Day”!
Why? Because the Texas US Lobby desires to celebrate the contributions of Pakistani Texans and their culture to the state. Thus, it shows India’s lobbying has historically lagged. It leaned on its diaspora, tech giants like Google and Microsoft, and strategic clout in defense. But in pure Beltway influence, Pakistan has punched above its weight.
By turning to Mercury Public Affairs, India is signaling that it won’t let Pakistan dominate the Washington conversation.
Can Lobbying Undo Trump’s Tariffs?
Here’s the hard truth: Trump’s tariffs are political tools, not policy mistakes. For him, they rally his base and showcase his “America First” mantra. The calculations are based on Trump’s shallow understanding of trade, not true economics.
Lobbying can help India in three ways:
- Narrative correction – ensuring the US Congress and American business groups understand tariffs hurt American companies too.
- The US imports $8.5 billion in Indian pharmaceutical generics, which keep healthcare costs low.
- Tariffs on textiles will hurt American retailers like Walmart and Target, already struggling with inflation.
- Political leverage – reminding Republicans that the 5.2 million Indian-American voters matter, many of whom are in swing states.
- Counterweight to Pakistan – ensuring that Capitol Hill doesn’t drift toward Islamabad’s talking points on PoJK or South Asia.
But what are the odds of tariffs being rolled back soon? Slim to none. They shall reduce only once USA begins to feel the pinch of paying more for same goods. However, Trump sees tariffs as MAGA brownie points and ammunition. He is likely to push the pedal-to-the-metal before taking back any tariffs on India.
Thus, For PM Modi, lobbying is less about reversing today’s tariff war and more about buying insurance for tomorrow’s strategic ties.
A New Low, or a Strategic Reset?
India has chosen defiance over deference. PM Modi’s refusal to answer Trump’s calls shows a leadership style unwilling to bend for optics. Hiring Mercury shows India understands the brutal reality of US politics.
Washington’s power circles slide smoothly on tracks greased with money – Lobbying gives access to speak louder than quiet diplomacy.
Whether this resets the India-US relationship or deepens the divide depends on the coming days and Trump’s tantrums. If tariffs escalate further, trade could decline by billions. If lobbying finds its mark, India may blunt the worst damage.
