The US–India relationship has always been a rollercoaster—sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile, often complicated. Since 1947, Washington has typically leaned against India, with a brief honeymoon period during the presidency of John F. Kennedy. A significant thaw in relations occurred during Bill Clinton’s presidency, which George W. Bush capitalized on. After Bush took office, US-India ties began to improve, and since then, every US president and Indian prime minister has made efforts to draw India away from Russia and closer to the United States. Gradually, this effort seemed to be bearing fruit. By the late 2010s, India was purchasing billions in defense hardware from America—deals that had previously gone almost exclusively to Russia, with only a small share going to France. However, the Biden era, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an unnoticed turning point shifted the trajectory.
If anyone claims that Trump ruined US–India relations in 2025, they overlook the broader narrative. Trump has simply continued a downward trend that began under Biden. Many Indians had hoped that Trump would, as he did in his first term, side firmly with India. However, he openly began supporting Pakistan both financially and militarily—something unacceptable to India. This shift did not occur in isolation; it began when COVID-19 transformed vaccines into tools of profit and diplomacy.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: The United States is not the “land of the free” in the way many believe. Elections occur, yes, but real power lies with the deep state—a network of big tech, big pharma, defense contractors, media empires, and corporate lobbies. The US government operates like a corporation, driven by one mission: profit for its stakeholders, even at the expense of human lives.
When COVID-19 erupted, Pfizer and Moderna raced to develop mRNA vaccines, priced around $20 a dose. The business model was straightforward: sell globally, generate billions, and extract diplomatic concessions from desperate countries. And it worked—many Caribbean and South American nations reportedly faced pressure to provide military bases or political favors in exchange for doses.
Then India disrupted the plan. Instead of becoming a paying customer, India developed its own vaccine and mass-produced the Oxford–AstraZeneca formula. Pfizer and Moderna sought entry into the Indian market, but New Delhi imposed two conditions: (1) local trials before approval, and (2) mandatory compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Both US pharmaceutical companies refused. As a result, India pursued its own path—vaccinating its population with India-manufactured vaccines and subsequently donating or selling doses to 133 countries at minimal prices, without political strings attached. This was a significant setback for US pharmaceutical interests. The estimated loss for US companies reached $75-80 billion due to India’s actions. This was not merely a business loss—it was a humiliation. Big Pharma, a pillar of the US deep state, does not easily forgive or forget. Almost overnight, the tone of US media coverage shifted. During India’s Delta wave, Western outlets portrayed a narrative of chaos and collapse. What they did not emphasize was that, per capita, India’s death toll was lower than America’s, even as the US retained the grim record for the highest official COVID death toll. Despite immense challenges, India managed the pandemic commendably, and credit for that goes to Prime Minister Modi.
From that moment forward, Washington began to perceive India less as a partner and more as a competitor. When the United States sees competition, it often resorts to underhanded tactics. Economic pressure, media narratives, and subtle diplomatic snubs—all are part of the playbook.
So let’s be clear: the cracks in US–India relations were formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where India’s humanitarian mission conflicted with America’s profit-driven approach. Although Trump and Modi may still refer to each other as “great friends” in public, the underlying mistrust runs deep. The vaccine conflict was the initial battle in a new strategic rivalry—one that is likely to shape global politics for years to come.