Trump's embarrassment of the Indian Prime Minister prompts Modi to seek alliances with Putin and Xi
In the realm of global politics, several significant events have unfolded over the past few years, shaping the relationships between nations.
The US government's actions in Ukraine have been justified as a matter of national security, fueling the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the relationship between the US and India has taken a turn for the worse, with reports of a humiliation suffered by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This humiliation occurred when Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on social media before the leaders of both countries had agreed to it.
The "Howdy Modi" event in Houston and the "Namaste Trump" show in Ahmedabad were intended to strengthen the bond between the two leaders, but the incident seems to have left a lasting impact. Over 100,000 people attended the "Namaste Trump" event, but Mr. Modi has remained silent about the situation.
In response to India's continued purchase of discounted Russian crude oil, the US government has imposed an extra 25% tariff, bringing the total duties to 50%, one of the highest in the world. This move has strained the relationship further, as Russia has become India's largest supplier of crude oil, accounting for about 40% of India's imports in 2024.
The US-India tension has not deterred India from exploring new opportunities. India and Pakistan are now delving into crypto and mining deals, signalling a shift in focus.
In a bid to improve relations, Mr. Modi has recently visited China for the first time in seven years. The meeting with China's leader, Xi Jinping, was marked by an emphasis on mutual trust, making opportunities for each other's development, and peaceful coexistence. Xi Jinping also proposed that the two countries should accommodate each other's concerns, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in border areas, and ensure that boundary issues do not define the entirety of China-India relations.
The relationship between India and Russia, however, remains strong, with Russia supplying 65% of India's weapons purchases over the last two decades. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, the countries participating included China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, as well as observer states like Mongolia and Afghanistan, dialogue partners such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Maldives, Myanmar, UAE, Kuwait, and guest participants including Turkmenistan, ASEAN, CIS, CSTO, and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Amidst these international dynamics, India is pushing for a swadeshi mantra, or self-reliance, to reduce the burden of import. Mr. Modi has also emphasized that both countries should pursue strategic autonomy, and their relations should not be seen through a third country lens.
In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Donald Trump for bringing peace to the region and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Peter Navarro, Mr. Trump's trade adviser, however, referred to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as "Modi's war."
The two Asian giants, India and China, share over 2,000 miles of border, much of which is demarcated but with unresolved land disputes. The future of these relationships will be shaped by how these issues are addressed and the strategies adopted by the leaders of these nations.
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