US-India Relations Plummet as India Forges Closer Ties with China and Russia
Washington D.C. – A significant deterioration in US-India relations is unfolding, with former President Trump publicly lamenting what he perceives as a loss of India to the influence of China and Russia.This downturn follows over two decades of generally strong cooperation between the two nations.
The shift in dynamics was brought into sharp focus by a recent display of camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese president Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. A widely circulated video showing the three leaders interacting warmly fueled concerns in Washington.
Trump voiced his frustration on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “Looks like we have lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”
This sentiment is underpinned by escalating trade tensions. Trump recently imposed a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% surcharge specifically targeting India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. India has strongly protested these measures, labeling them ”unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and questioning why it is being singled out for punitive action while China, a larger importer of Russian oil, faces no such penalties.
The escalating rhetoric extends beyond tariffs. Several Trump administration officials, including White House trade advisor Peter navarro, have launched pointed criticisms of India. Navarro accused India of becoming a “massive refining hub and oil money laundromat for the Kremlin” due to its increased reliance on discounted Russian oil following the invasion of Ukraine.
While the SCO summit officially focused on security and economic cooperation, the visible rapport between Modi, Putin, and Xi signaled a potential realignment of power dynamics. Xi Jinping,in his address,outlined a vision for a new global order prioritizing the interests of the Global South.
Trump further accused Xi, Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un of conspiring against the United States, offering a sarcastic congratulatory message to China on its Victory Day celebrations.
The current crisis in US-India relations stems from a breakdown in trade deal negotiations, as well as Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of having resolved the India-Pakistan military conflict.Months of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement faltered due to disagreements in key areas like agriculture and dairy, despite a previous bilateral trade volume of approximately $130 billion with projections for growth.
India has consistently defended its energy policy, asserting that its procurement of Russian oil is driven by national interest and market forces. Since the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia in February 2022, India has substantially increased its reliance on discounted Russian crude, rising from a 1.7% share of total oil imports in 2019-20 to 35.1% in 2024-25, making Russia India’s largest oil supplier.
