With America, Not Russia’: Trump Ally’s Message to India Post Modi-Putin Meet
A senior aide of former US President Donald Trump has urged India to align itself more closely with Washington rather than Moscow, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments highlight how India’s balancing act between the US and Russia continues to draw scrutiny from global powers, especially as tensions between Washington and Moscow deepen over Ukraine and global security issues.
Trump camp’s message to New Delhi
The aide, speaking in the context of strengthening US-India relations, underlined that Washington views India as a crucial partner in countering China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific. However, concerns remain in American political circles over India’s longstanding defense and energy ties with Russia.
“India needs to be with the United States, not Russia,” the Trump aide stressed, signaling that in any future Trump administration, New Delhi may face heightened pressure to reduce strategic dependence on Moscow. The remark came shortly after visuals of Prime Minister Modi’s warm interactions with President Putin made headlines worldwide.
India’s delicate balancing act
India has maintained that its relationship with Russia is guided by national interests, citing defense cooperation, energy imports, and historical ties dating back to the Cold War era. At the same time, New Delhi has significantly deepened its partnership with the US, particularly in defense, technology, and critical minerals.
Observers note that India has avoided taking sides in the Ukraine conflict, consistently calling for dialogue and diplomacy while refraining from directly condemning Moscow. This neutral stance has allowed New Delhi to safeguard its access to Russian energy and arms, even as it nurtures closer bonds with Washington through platforms like the Quad.
US expectations from India
Trump’s political camp is seeking to highlight that a stronger US-India partnership is not only strategic but also ideological, stressing shared democratic values and mutual concerns over Beijing’s assertiveness. Washington expects India to play a bigger role in shaping a rules-based Indo-Pacific, especially if the US recalibrates its foreign policy under Trump’s leadership.
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The aide’s comments are also seen as an attempt to underline that future American support—whether in trade, technology, or defense—may hinge on India’s willingness to recalibrate its Russian connection.
India’s diplomatic response
New Delhi has yet to respond directly to the remarks. Diplomats, however, insist that India will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy, maintaining relationships with all major powers while prioritizing its national security and economic interests.
Strategic experts suggest that while India values its growing partnership with the US, it cannot abruptly disengage from Russia, given the scale of defense dependencies and energy needs. Instead, India is likely to continue balancing, leveraging its ties with both Washington and Moscow to maximize its strategic space.
The road ahead
The Trump aide’s remarks add a fresh dimension to the debate over India’s foreign policy choices. With the US presidential election approaching, India’s position on Russia may once again come under focus. If Trump returns to the White House, New Delhi could face sharper demands to tilt decisively toward Washington.
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For now, Prime Minister Modi’s Moscow visit underscores India’s commitment to multi-alignment—building bridges across competing blocs to safeguard its global interests. Whether this approach remains sustainable amid intensifying US-Russia rivalry will be closely watched.
