In an attempt to moderate his earlier social media comments that suggested Washington had “lost India and Russia to China,” US President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he does not think that has happened.
Speaking at the White House and answering questions from ANI, Trump reaffirmed his concerns over India’s imports of Russian crude oil while also highlighting his close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The comments followed Trump’s Truth Social post, in which he wrote that the United States had “lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China” and wished them “a long and prosperous future together.” The post was prompted by the recent India-Russia-China joint presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Tianjin.
But at the press conference, Trump softened his stance, emphasizing that although he is still “very disappointed” that India is still buying Russian oil, he still has close ties to Modi, pointing to their past interactions, which included a joint news conference at the White House Rose Garden.
With the US government lately placing high taxes on Indian imports, the controversy has taken place amid a backdrop of rising trade tensions. Trump clarified that 50% tariffs were imposed, calling them “very high,” with a sizable amount associated with fines on Russian petroleum imports.
With more scathing criticism, senior White House officials echoed this stance. Trump’s Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, Peter Navarro, said that India’s tariff policy was “costing Americans’ jobs” and accused the country of taking advantage of cheap Russian energy.
The government is also “disappointed” with the ongoing purchases that Washington claims fund Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett, who also voiced optimism for “positive developments” through diplomatic engagement. These remarks highlight a persistent effort by US officials to limit India’s energy trading with Moscow.
In contrast, India has responded cautiously. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the idea that New Delhi’s relations with other nations should not be viewed “through the prism of a third country” and instead declined to directly comment on Trump’s recent statements that linked China, Russia, and India.
Regarding trade tensions, the MEA spokeswoman reiterated that India is still working with Washington to find solutions, underscoring New Delhi’s more general policy strategy of keeping lines of communication open but separating disagreements.
Given their strategic alignment on Indo-Pacific security, technology, and defense cooperation, this measured approach seems to be intended to protect the entire India-US collaboration and prevent a possible escalation in verbal exchanges.
Trump and his advisers portray India’s autonomous foreign policy decisions as indications of a shift away from Washington’s sphere of influence, which is part of a larger geopolitical realignment narrative that is increasingly being expressed in US domestic politics.
Trump’s initial use of the phrase “losing India and Russia to China” was in line with his transactional and direct manner, but his later clarification shows that he is cognizant of India’s strategic importance and the dangers of completely alienating New Delhi.
Trump emphasized his working relationship with Prime Minister Modi, implying a delicate balancing act between outreach and criticism, despite ongoing trade disputes and tensions over Russian oil supplies.
The upcoming months will probably show whether this renewed strain is handled by backchannel diplomacy and discussions or if it solidifies into a protracted trade battle, with tariffs, oil geopolitics, and multilateral alignments influencing the conversation.
Even as it aims to keep up the momentum of cooperation in its relations with the United States, India continues to assert that its foreign policy autonomy is non-negotiable.
