This opinion piece argues that President Donald Trump has made India a “scapegoat” for his failure to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The author notes that U.S. officials have accused India of “profiteering” by reselling Russian oil, even though China, a larger purchaser of Russian oil, has been given an easier ride by the U.S. due to its reliance on Chinese minerals. The article highlights that the U.S. has imposed a 50% tariff on India, compared to a 30% tariff on China.
The author suggests that the tariffs may push India and China into a “wary but tactical embrace”. The article notes that Indian foreign policy has previously shifted towards the U.S., but recent developments, including a visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister to India and an upcoming visit by the Indian Prime Minister to China, may signal a change. The author also points out that the U.S. economy no longer relies on India for “any critical imports” due to the rise of AI, which has reduced the demand for Indian IT workers.