Former US President Donald Trump’s latest post has triggered debate worldwide. On Friday, Trump said the US has lost India and Russia to China after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin.
His remarks came alongside a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, which made global headlines. Trump wrote, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” His words highlight growing attention on the SCO and the shifting dynamics between Asian powers. The statement has renewed discussions on whether the US has really lost India and Russia to China.
US-India Trade Friction
Trump’s criticism also stems from trade tensions with New Delhi. He recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, calling the trade partnership a “one-sided disaster.” According to Trump, while India exports heavily to the US, American exports to India remain far lower.
“It has been a one-sided relationship for decades,” Trump noted. These disputes over tariffs and oil imports from Russia are being seen as reasons behind his statement that the US has lost India and Russia to China.
Former US Officials React
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that Trump’s policies weakened the once-strong rapport between him and Prime Minister Modi. He added that the ties have been “pushed back by decades.”
Jake Sullivan also argued that Trump’s “massive trade offensive” against India forced New Delhi to strengthen ties with Beijing. He said global perception now paints the US as a disruptor, while China appears more stable. This adds more context to Trump’s controversial claim that the US has lost India and Russia to China.
India’s Independent Path
Despite Trump’s remarks, experts stress that India follows an independent foreign policy. While India engages with China and Russia through the SCO, it also maintains robust defense, technology, and security partnerships with the United States.
New Delhi’s strategy is not about choosing sides but about balancing multiple relationships—an approach that ensures India remains a key player in shaping future global order, regardless of claims that it has lost India and Russia to China.
FAQs
Q: What did Donald Trump mean by ‘lost India and Russia to China’?
A: He suggested that India and Russia are leaning closer to China after the SCO summit.
Q: Why did Trump increase tariffs on India?
A: He said the US-India trade was a “one-sided disaster,” with higher Indian exports to the US than imports.
Q: Has India really shifted towards China?
A: Experts say India still maintains independent ties and strong relations with the US while engaging with China and Russia.
Q: Why are Trump’s remarks on India significant?
A: They highlight tensions in US-India relations while pointing to broader global shifts involving China.
