Trump's foreign policy drives India closer to Russia and China
- Throughout 2025, Donald Trump's actions alienated traditional U.S. allies, straining relationships with countries like India.
- After a contentious phone call, Narendra Modi sought closer ties with Russia and China as a response to U.S. tariffs.
- The shift toward new alliances signifies a major change in the global power landscape and poses challenges for U.S. diplomacy.
In 2025, the diplomatic relationship between the United States and India faced significant strain due to actions taken by President Donald Trump. Throughout the year, Trump publicly made several claims that alienated longtime allies, leading to India reevaluating its foreign policy. A notable instance occurred during a June 2025 phone call when Trump erroneously asserted credit for a peace agreement between India and Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi corrected him, stating that the ceasefire was an independent resolution. This disagreement marked a decline in relations, further exacerbated by Trump's imposition of trade tariffs on India shortly thereafter, coupled with his decision to cancel a planned visit. In the aftermath of these events, India began to forge stronger partnerships with nations such as Russia and China. In a symbolic display of solidarity, Modi participated in diplomatic gatherings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting a noticeable shift in alliances. This groundbreaking approach, featuring hand-holding and public camaraderie, sent a clear signal to the United States that India was seeking alternatives to its historical alliance. As the year progressed, the geopolitical landscape in Asia began to transform, with regional powers rethinking their affiliations. The ongoing tensions between the US and key allies such as Britain, France, Canada, and Japan mirrored India's actions, as these nations also pursued their own economic and security agreements outside of cooperation with the United States. Observers noted that India's pivot toward China and Russia could have significant implications not just for American diplomacy, but also for regional security dynamics amid an escalating trade war with China. Experts suggested that Trump's foreign policy, characterized by capricious tariffs and a willingness to undermine longstanding partnerships, inadvertently played into the hands of China and Russia, allowing them to fill the vacuum created by reduced American influence. The fallout from these diplomatic failures highlighted a profound shift in global power dynamics, drawing attention to the need for reevaluating traditional relationships. Ultimately, Trump's foreign policy may have had generational consequences, demanding closer scrutiny of how these new alliances will shape the future of international relations in a rapidly changing world.