The digital ghost of a 2025 press conference has returned to test the optics of the India-US relationship. On February 12, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was forced to address a viral video involving US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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While the two nations recently celebrated a landmark trade framework on February 7, social media users have been recirculating a clip where Trump discusses his “friendship” with Modi in a way that some have misinterpreted as a threat.
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The “Political Career” Quip: Context of the Resurfaced Clip
The video in question dates back to October 15, 2025, during a period of high tension over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
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The “Love” Remark: Trump told reporters that PM Modi “loves Trump,” but immediately followed up with a characteristic quip: “I don’t want you to take the word ‘love’ any differently. I don’t want to destroy his political career.”
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The Background: At the time, Trump was boasting that Modi had assured him India would stop buying Russian oil—a claim New Delhi later clarified was a matter of gradual diversification rather than an overnight halt.
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The Re-emergence: The clip resurfaced this week, with a section of social media users portraying the “destroy his career” line as a modern-day ultimatum.
MEA’s Response: Authenticity and “Appropriate Action”
During his weekly briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal maintained a cautious but firm diplomatic line.
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Verification First: Jaiswal admitted he had not personally viewed the latest viral version of the clip.
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The “Action” Warning: He stated, “If indeed there is such a video, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it.” 3. Interpreting the Tone: Diplomatic observers note that the “appropriate action” likely refers to issuing a formal clarification or taking up the matter with US counterparts if the video is found to be doctored or presented out of context to harm bilateral ties.
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The Factsheet Flip: Softened Language in India-US Trade Deal
Beyond the viral noise, Jaiswal provided a significant update on the Interim Trade Agreement signed on February 7, 2026.
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Refined Language: The White House recently amended its official factsheet. The word “commits” regarding India’s $500 billion purchase of US goods was changed to “intends to buy.” * Sector Protection: References to “pulses“ were removed from the list of tariff-free items, as India maintains this is a “highly-sensitive sector” for domestic farmers.
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Shared Understanding: Jaiswal clarified that these revisions are not a sign of friction but rather a “shared understanding” to ensure the factsheet matches the original Joint Statement.
Russian Oil and Bilateral Realities: The 2026 Horizon
Despite the lighthearted tone of Trump’s past remarks, the underlying issue remains India’s energy independence.
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Diversification: While US diplomats like S. Paul Kapur have praised India for “diversifying away” from Russian oil, New Delhi continues to maintain that its energy decisions are driven solely by national interest.
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Tariff Success: Ties are currently on an upswing, with Trump having reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18%—a major win for Indian exporters compared to the crippling 50% levels seen in late 2025.
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[INDIA-US DIPLOMATIC TRACKER: FEB 2026]
| Event | Date | Key Outcome |
| Joint Trade Statement | Feb 7, 2026 | $500B Investment Framework |
| Factsheet Revision | Feb 10, 2026 | Language softened to “Intends to buy” |
| MEA Briefing | Feb 12, 2026 | Responded to viral Trump video |
| Macron Visit | Feb 17, 2026 | Expected AI & Defence Summit |
Next Steps
If you are following the geopolitical impact of these remarks, you should watch the White House press briefing on February 14, where US officials are likely to be asked to clarify the President’s “political career” joke. Furthermore, if you are an exporter, you should review the revised list of agricultural tariffs, as the removal of pulses from the factsheet indicates that Indian protectionism in the food sector remains firmly in place despite the broader trade thaw
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