‘Pushed PM Modi closer to China…alternative to US’: John Bolton fires fresh salvo at Donald Trump over 50% tariffs

By Admin

05 Sep, 2025

Former US National Security Adviser (NSA) John Bolton has reignited his criticism of Donald Trump, this time warning that the former president’s tariff-heavy policies have deeply strained US-India relations. Bolton argued that the Trump administration’s approach has “set U.S.-India relations back decades,” inadvertently pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to Russia and China at a time when global power alignments are undergoing rapid shifts.

Tariffs and Rising Tensions

Bolton’s remarks come against the backdrop of the United States imposing a sweeping 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, including an additional 25 per cent levy tied to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. According to Washington, India’s imports are indirectly aiding Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. These measures have escalated tensions, leaving New Delhi facing difficult choices amid rising global uncertainties.

China as an “Alternative to the US”

In a post on X, Bolton highlighted that Beijing has positioned itself as a strategic alternative to both the United States and Donald Trump. With India seeking to balance its global partnerships, the tariffs have complicated Washington’s long-standing bipartisan efforts to reduce New Delhi’s reliance on Russia while building stronger cooperation against China.

“The White House has set U.S.-India relations back decades, pushing Modi closer to Russia and China. Beijing has cast itself as an alternative to the U.S. and Donald Trump,” Bolton remarked.

The SCO Summit Backdrop

Bolton’s comments coincided with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in China, where President Xi Jinping hosted more than 20 world leaders, including PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit underscored concerns over the possibility of a Beijing-Moscow-New Delhi axis, emerging partly in response to Trump’s protectionist policies.

From Personal Ties to Political Strains

Bolton also noted that while Trump had a “very good personal relationship” with Modi during his first term, that bond has now weakened. He cautioned that leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer should not assume personal ties with Trump will shield them from policy decisions.

“Trump sees international relations through the prism of his personal relations with leaders. If he has a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, the US has a good relationship with Russia. That's obviously not the case,” Bolton explained.

A Reversal of US Strategy

For decades, US administrations both Democratic and Republican have worked to wean India away from its Cold War alignment with Russia, encouraging policymakers to treat China as their main security challenge. According to Bolton, Trump’s policies have undone much of this progress.

“That has been reversed. I think it can be reversed again, but it’s a very bad moment,” Bolton warned. He described Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports as an “unforced error” that risks pushing India toward deeper ties with Beijing and Moscow.

Political Overtones

Bolton’s renewed criticism comes at a time when his own life is under scrutiny his Maryland home and Washington office were recently searched by the FBI in connection with an investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified material. Nevertheless, his comments underscore growing unease among foreign policy circles about the trajectory of US-India relations under Trump’s influence.

Trump, meanwhile, is preparing for his upcoming visit to the UK from September 17–19, where international observers will be closely watching whether his approach to foreign relations shifts ahead of key elections.