New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- The US embassy surprised diplomatic circles on Monday with social media posts about the India-US partnership continuing to reach new heights at a time when the relationship is facing stresses not witnessed in almost two decades, largely due to the trade and tariff policies of the Donald Trump administration. "The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights - a defining relationship of the 21st century. This month, we're spotlighting the people, progress, and possibilities driving us forward," the US embassy said in similar posts on X, Facebook and Instagram. "From innovation and entrepreneurship to defense and bilateral ties, it's the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey," the post said. Attached to the post was a message from secretary of state Marco Rubio that said: "The enduring friendship between our two peoples is the bedrock of our cooperation and propels us forward as we realise the tremendous potential of our economic relationship." The posts are reportedly part of an effort to highlight the importance of people-to-people ties between India and the US and the joint accomplishments of the two sides. However, the effort came at a time when the trade policies of the US figured prominently at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping spoke about the role of the Indian and Chinese economies in stabilising the global economic order amid growing uncertainty. On the bilateral front too, Trump's decision to double tariffs on Indian goods, through a 25% punitive levy that kicked in last week, have taken the relationship to a low point. Indian officials have said contacts are continuing on trade-related matters and that New Delhi remains open to finalising a bilateral trade deal, though key aides of Trump have repeatedly targeted India for "profiteering" from its purchases of Russian oil. At the same time, the Indian side has focused on long-term institutional contacts with the US - New Delhi pointed to a recent meeting of officials of the two sides under the 2+2 mechanism that brings together the defence and foreign ministries - while keeping these engagements separate from the actions of the US president....