New Delhi sought to draw a line under an exchange sparked by comments from United States President Donald Trump, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump share a cordial relationship marked by mutual respect and long-established diplomatic norms.The clarification came after Mr Trump, speaking earlier this week, suggested that Mr Modi had addressed him as “Sir”, a remark that prompted questions about protocol and the tone of engagement between the two leaders. Responding to queries, the Ministry of External Affairs said interactions between heads of government follow standard diplomatic practice and that both leaders have consistently addressed one another with respect.
Officials framed the episode as a matter of semantics rather than substance, emphasising that the working relationship between New Delhi and Washington has been shaped by institutional engagement and shared strategic interests rather than informal phrasing. The ministry added that exchanges between leaders often take place across different settings, including private conversations, bilateral meetings and public forums, and should not be over-interpreted.
The statement reflected a familiar approach by the foreign ministry when dealing with off-the-cuff remarks by foreign leaders, particularly during election seasons abroad. Diplomats noted that leaders often tailor their language for domestic audiences, which can lead to phrasing that appears unusual when viewed through the prism of diplomatic protocol.
Mr Modi and Mr Trump developed a visible rapport during Trump’s first term in office, underscored by high-profile public events such as the “Howdy, Modi” gathering in Houston and the Ahmedabad rally that welcomed the US president to Gujarat. Those appearances were designed to project warmth and political alignment, even as negotiators on both sides continued to grapple with trade disputes, market access issues and tariff disagreements behind closed doors.
Since returning to office, Mr Trump has signalled an intent to recalibrate several strands of US foreign policy, including trade relationships and defence burden-sharing. India figures prominently in that calculus because of its role in the Indo-Pacific, its growing defence ties with Washington and its position as a counterweight to China. Against that backdrop, officials in New Delhi have been keen to ensure that diplomatic messaging remains steady and free from avoidable controversy.
Former diplomats say the question of how leaders address one another rarely carries operational significance. “Titles and forms of address are guided by protocol, but they do not define the substance of bilateral ties,” said a retired envoy who has served in Washington. What matters more, he added, are outcomes on defence cooperation, technology transfers and trade facilitation.
The episode also illustrates the challenges faced by foreign ministries in managing narratives in an era of instant communication and sound-bite diplomacy. Remarks made in passing can rapidly dominate news cycles, requiring formal clarification even when there is no policy shift. For India, maintaining a careful balance in its public responses is particularly important given its simultaneous engagement with multiple major powers.
Within official circles, there is an emphasis on continuity. The MEA has repeatedly underlined that India’s partnership with the United States enjoys bipartisan support in Washington and rests on converging interests rather than personal chemistry alone. While the personal rapport between leaders can help set a positive tone, institutional mechanisms such as the 2+2 dialogue between defence and foreign ministers, defence procurement frameworks and technology partnerships are seen as the backbone of the relationship.
Observers also point out that diplomatic language varies across cultures. Terms that may sound deferential in one context can simply reflect politeness in another. Indian diplomatic practice, shaped by decades of engagement with diverse political systems, places a premium on courtesy without implying hierarchy.