By The Blogging Hounds
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday in Tianjin, China, sending Washington a pointed diplomatic signal after President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on Indian goods went into effect last week. The meetings come amid a growing alignment of India with global powers challenging U.S. dominance, as Modi emphasized his nation’s strategic partnerships rather than rivalry.
SCO Summit Highlights New Alliances
Xi hosted Modi, Putin, and other leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the Chinese port city of Tianjin. China has long sought to strengthen the SCO as a counterbalance to U.S. and NATO influence. Modi’s visit marked his first to China in seven years, and he engaged in notably friendly exchanges with both Xi and Putin, including handshakes and shared rides, symbolizing growing warmth between these major global powers.
Modi and Putin: Strengthening Ties
Modi also held a separate bilateral meeting with Putin, highlighting deepening India-Russia relations. On social media, Modi described the conversations as “always insightful,” while Putin called Modi his “dear friend” and expressed gratitude for the “friendly and trusting” ties between their nations. The optics of these interactions underscore India’s willingness to balance relations with the U.S. against growing ties with Russia and China.
A Subtle Rebuke to Washington
While Modi did not openly criticize the U.S., his actions were a clear message in response to Trump’s recent tariffs, which imposed a 50% duty on Indian goods. Chinese President Xi also indirectly weighed in, condemning “bullying behavior” by countries during his summit address — a statement widely interpreted as a critique of U.S. policies without naming Washington directly.
Trump Responds, Warns of Economic Risk
President Trump reacted on social media, warning that India could lose much more than the U.S. in the tariff standoff. “What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us,” he wrote, adding that the U.S. is India’s “biggest client.” Trump urged India to lower tariffs immediately, saying, “They have offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”
The Bigger Picture: Cooling U.S.-India Relations
Modi’s warming ties with Russia and China are part of a broader realignment. India’s national security advisor visited Moscow last month, the foreign minister held talks in recent weeks, and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded discussions in Delhi in mid-August. Additionally, Putin is expected to host Modi in Moscow before the end of the year, further solidifying this emerging trilateral rapport.
Conclusion
Modi’s SCO summit meetings with Putin and Xi highlight India’s increasingly independent foreign policy and signal a willingness to push back against U.S. pressure. As Washington navigates trade disputes and global influence, Modi’s strategic diplomacy demonstrates that the world’s largest democracy is seeking new partnerships to balance American power — a development with profound geopolitical implications for the coming decade.
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