Während andere Führer der Welt verweigern, gegen Donald Trumps Zölle zu kämpfen, sitzt der indische Premierminister Narendra Modi hübsch

SS: What do you get when two strongmen become mates?

For US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the answer so far has been chemistry, an aligning of ideas and a shared vision for „MEGA prosperity“ that will make both their countries great again.

But when those political strongmen are nationalist — as they so often are — and prioritise domestic interests above all else, in a global economy, at some point, something’s gotta give.

A seemingly equal partnership will eventually tilt in favour of one party, who will emerge with more power — perhaps military, economic or, in this case, negotiating.

And the other might be left wondering, like a kid in the playground whose friend has just turned on them: „How could they do that to me?“

That is certainly one way of looking at Mr Trump’s doling out of 26 per cent tariffs to India as part of his „Liberation Day“ sweep.

During his announcement, he again described Mr Modi as a „great friend“ before adding he told the Indian PM: „You’re a friend of mine, but you’re not treating us right. They charge us 52 per cent, and we have charged them almost nothing for years and years.“

That was despite days of trade negotiations between the two countries last week, working towards a bilateral trade agreement slated to start around September, which will likely see India shave huge numbers off the high tariffs it currently applies to US imports in exchange for concessions.

Some had hoped that proposal for the bilateral trade agreement, plus the goodwill from the longstanding friendship between the two countries‘ leaders, may have won India a complete exemption from this week’s tariffs.

Now that it hasn’t, it has some asking the question — is the bromance over?

Unsurprisingly, opposition politicians in India have cried foul that Mr Modi has bowed down to Mr Trump.

But others say this is exactly what Mr Modi knew would happen — and he’s got a plan that, ultimately, will wind up benefiting India.

Concept seems so obvious. „We’re going to have matching tariffs. What would you like them to be?“ That’s probably too simplistic, but basically correct.