US-India Tensions Rise as Russia Aligns with China, Trump Warns

Washington, Sep 5 (PTI) – Tensions are evidently escalating between the United States and India, as former President Donald Trump expressed concern that India and Russia are gravitating towards a closer relationship with China. President Trump, in a social media post, commented, "It looks like the US has lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!" These sentiments follow a prominent display of camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

The recent friction between Washington and New Delhi comes amid the imposition of increased tariffs by the Trump administration on Indian goods, now reaching 50 per cent. This includes an added 25 per cent duty due to India's procurement of Russian crude oil, surcharges effective since August 27. India labeled the tariffs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable" and raised questions about this targeted action.

Notably, the US has refrained from implementing any similar sanctions on China, which remains the largest importer of Russian oil. This has sparked criticism among Trump officials, with Peter Navarro, White House trade advisor, condemning India's oil acquisitions as financially bolstering the Kremlin.

During the recent SCO summit, while the primary focus was strengthening security and economic partnerships among member countries, international focus remained on the robust interaction between Modi, Putin, and Xi. A viral video showcased Modi and Putin warmly clasping hands and approaching Xi, illustrating a solidified tripartite rapport.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the summit, articulated his vision for an emerging global security and economic framework, with emphasis on the Global South, positioning China as a central player. Concurrently, President Trump criticized this emerging cooperation during China's Victory Day, alleging conspiracy against the US and extending greeting to Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

The recent downturn in India-US relations follows the failed negotiation of a bilateral trade agreement, despite increased trade volumes, pegged at USD 130 billion last year. Over previous months, divergences in key areas like agriculture and dairy have stymied progress.

In light of continuing criticism regarding its energy engagements with Russia, India maintains that its energy acquisitions serve national interests and market needs. After Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India capitalized on discounted Russian oil. Consequently, Russia's contribution to India's oil imports surged from a modest 1.7 per cent in 2019-20 to a considerable 35.1 per cent in 2024-25, making it India's primary oil supplier.

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