Is India Truly a U.S. Ally? Trump Sends Mixed Signals

Donald Trump has reignited debate over the future of U.S.–India relations. On one hand, he calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “very good friend” and confirms that trade talks between Washington and New Delhi are ongoing. On the other, he criticizes India’s purchases of Russian oil and pushes the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on both India and China.

Friendship with Modi, Criticism of Russian Oil On Truth Social, Trump wrote that the U.S. and India are working to remove trade barriers and that he looks forward to an upcoming conversation with Modi. “I am confident that it will not be difficult for our two great nations to reach a successful conclusion,” he said. Yet only days earlier, Trump had shared a photo from Tianjin, where Modi appeared alongside Xi Jlnping and Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. His caption read: “It looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to China.” Pressed later by reporters, Trump softened his tone: “I don’t think we’ve lost India,” he said. “But I am very disappointed that they are buying so much oil from Russia.” Despite the criticism, he emphasized his personal bond with Modi, calling U.S.–India ties “special.”

Tariffs as the Key Pressure Tool Frustrated that efforts to end the war in Ukraine have stalled, Trump is urging tougher economic action. During a meeting with U.S. and EU officials, he proposed that Europe slap 100% tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods. “We are ready to act, ready to move right now, but only if our European partners join us,” one U.S. official said. Trump’s team argues that “dramatic tariffs” would be more effective than sanctions and should remain in place until New Delhi and Beijing cut energy ties with Moscow. Washington, they added, would be prepared to mirror any EU tariffs to amplify the pressure.

Mixed Signals Ahead of Putin Talks Despite his hardline stance, Trump revealed he expects to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin “this week or early next week.” That remark has fueled speculation about whether he intends to pair economic pressure with direct diplomacy. India now finds itself caught in the middle: balancing strategic ties with the U.S. against deepening energy and economic relationships with Russia and China. Trump’s conflicting signals suggest that the future of Washington–New Delhi relations will be one of the key geopolitical tests of his administration.

#TRUMP , #India , #china , #russia , #Geopolitics

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