Washington, September 5, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump triggered a fresh wave of debate over global alignments after commenting on India, Russia, and China’s closer engagement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi walking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, writing, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”
The remark comes at a time when ties between Washington and New Delhi are under visible strain. Recently, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on a wide range of Indian exports, citing protection of American industries. The move has been viewed in India as a setback to the otherwise growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations.
Observers point out that while India has built strong defense and technology cooperation with the U.S. in recent years, it has also chosen to maintain its traditional relationship with Russia and cautiously engage with China. This balancing act, experts say, reflects India’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy in a multipolar world.
The photo Trump highlighted, taken at a multilateral summit, symbolized the possibility of India working more closely with Moscow and Beijing at a time when Washington is seeking to counter China’s global influence. For the U.S., any perception of an India-Russia-China bloc raises concerns about diminishing American sway in Asia.
Trump’s statement also echoes his long-held belief that America risks losing influence if allies do not remain firmly within its orbit. During his earlier term as president, he frequently criticized international arrangements that he felt weakened U.S. leverage.
Analysts argue that unless trade frictions with India are resolved, Washington could see a gradual weakening of one of its most important strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
