US President Donald Trump has a habit of using his personal cell phone to call world leaders, a practice carried over from his previous life as a real estate magnate. This informal communication style often frustrated security officials but persisted throughout his presidency. Notably, he had given his personal number to a few world leaders, including India's PM Narendra Modi, allowing direct calls. However, recent reports suggest PM Modi may not have answered several calls from Trump, which could be due to multiple reasons including updated phone numbers, security concerns, and diplomatic protocol sensitivities.
Trump's Unique Communication Style
Donald Trump’s use of personal cell phones, including both an Android and an iPhone, to call global leaders marked a departure from traditional presidential communication channels. This created tensions between maintaining secure communications and Trump’s preference for direct, sometimes informal interaction. His phone calls were often outside the control or knowledge of the National Security Council staff, causing concern over security and information flow. Despite safeguards being implemented, Trump’s readiness to pick up calls from unknown numbers remained, sometimes leading to confusion due to the large number of people having his number.
Modi’s Non-Response to Calls
Reports from German and Japanese media highlighted that PM Narendra Modi did not answer several calls from Trump in recent weeks, which reportedly frustrated the US President. The communication gap may have been influenced by Trump’s tendency to frequently change phone numbers, making it difficult for Modi’s office to recognize the caller. Additionally, diplomatic protocol and the importance of formality in Indian governance mean that established channels and verified communications are preferred over informal or potentially insecure calls.
Broader Concerns Over Trump’s Approach
Indian officials might also have been wary of Trump's reputation for making impulsive or exaggerated claims, which sometimes contradicted official diplomacy. Incidents like Trump prematurely announcing deals or making inflammatory statements could lead to embarrassment for Indian diplomats and complicate bilateral relations. Such unpredictability in communication style may have contributed to deliberate caution or reluctance to engage directly through unofficial channels.
Conclusion
The episode underscores the challenges that arise when informal communication practices intersect with formal diplomacy and security protocols. While Trump’s direct access phone calls aimed to facilitate urgent discussions, they also raised practical and strategic concerns for leaders like PM Modi, who must balance responsiveness with caution. The situation reflects broader tensions in managing modern presidential communication practices amid traditional diplomatic norms and security imperatives. This case highlights the evolving nature of global diplomacy in the technology age, where personal, direct communication must be weighed against protocol, security, and reliability.
Reviewed by Aparna Decors
on
August 28, 2025
Rating:
