In a striking remark aimed at global alliances, former US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that India and Russia have been “lost” to China following their participation in the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. The post was accompanied by a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in Tianjin earlier this week.
Trump Renews Criticism of Xi Jinping
The comments come just days after Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of working against US interests in coordination with Russian and North Korean leadership. Referring to China’s high-profile Victory Day parade in Beijing, Trump alleged that Xi was “conspiring” against Washington.
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States of America,” Trump wrote in another Truth Social post, taking direct aim at the growing strategic proximity between Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang.
Tensions Over US Tariffs on India
The former president’s remarks also follow a period of heightened trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. The Biden administration recently imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods, alongside a 25% penalty tariff on imports of Russian oil refined in India. These measures have added friction to US–India relations, which had otherwise strengthened in recent years amid shared concerns about China’s rising influence.
Trump’s Meeting With Putin
Trump’s latest comments also come in the backdrop of his own diplomatic efforts. On August 15, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks aimed at exploring a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine. However, the meeting did not produce any breakthrough.
With China positioning itself at the center of new strategic partnerships, Trump’s remarks underline growing concerns in Washington that key powers like India and Russia may be moving closer to Beijing, reshaping global alignments in ways that could challenge American influence.
