Indians are facing economic pain from the US-Israel war with Iran, and public sentiment toward President Donald Trump is turning sour. Experts say trouble has been brewing for a while.

New Delhi last week slammed as "inappropriate" comments shared by Trump on social media that referred to India as a "hellhole." India's Foreign Ministry described the remarks as "obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste."

India-US ties are central to both nations' global strategies. The United States is India's largest trading partner, a major source of investment and innovation, and a key destination for its diaspora.

In July 2025, the US said it would impose a 50% tariff on India — one of the highest in the world — partially because of India's purchase of Russian oil. Former diplomat Hemant Krishan Singh called this a "hostile act."

Former Indian ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna said the Trump administration's warmth toward Pakistan has fueled distrust in India. Experts also cite tighter H-1B visa restrictions and Trump-aligned influencers amplifying racist narratives.

Independent journalist Karen Rebelo noted that the Iran war has "turned everything on its head," with the rupee hitting a record low and supply chains disrupted. Traditional pro-Trump support among Indian business owners has turned to quiet frustration.

Influential YouTubers and even mainstream TV channels have shifted from pro-Trump to more critical coverage. Sundeep Narwani of Narritive Research Lab said anti-US sentiment is at a recent all-time high.

While formal ties are unlikely to change due to deep strategic interests, the shift in public sentiment — driven by economic strain and geopolitics — may prove more enduring than any single diplomatic rift.

Source: www.dw.com