Washington DC, 6 September (H.S.): US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed suggestions that the United States has “lost India and Russia to China,” clarifying that he does not believe such a shift has occurred, despite his recent remarks on Truth Social on Friday. While addressing media at the White House, Trump expressed disappointment over India’s continued imports of Russian oil, highlighting the imposition of a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a measure to address trade imbalances.

Trump stated, I don’t think we have [lost India to China]. I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India—50 per cent, a very high tariff,” while underscoring his positive rapport with Prime Minister Modi, referencing their recent joint press conference in the Rose Garden.

The remarks follow recent high-profile meetings between leaders from India, Russia, and China at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, which prompted Trump’s initial social media post suggesting the United States may have ceded influence to China in the region. Senior White House officials, including trade adviser Peter Navarro and economic advisor Kevin Hassett, echoed disappointment over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude, suggesting that such actions both fund Russia’s war in Ukraine and harm US jobs due to tariffs.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment directly on Trump’s statements, reiterating that its diplomatic and trade relations are based on individual merit and not influenced by third-party perspectives. Discussions on tariff disputes and Russian oil imports remain ongoing between the two countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar