Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday sought to clarify his earlier controversial statement that the United States had “lost India and Russia to China,” saying he did not actually believe that was the case. Speaking to reporters at the White House in response to a question from ANI, Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but reiterated his disappointment over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Trump explained that while his post on Truth Social was widely read as a suggestion that Washington had lost strategic ground in Asia, he did not think the situation had reached such a point. “I don’t think we have,” he said, tempering his earlier remark. However, he was quick to underscore his dissatisfaction with India’s energy choices, pointing out that Russian crude purchases undermine global pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine war. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil from Russia. I let them know that,” Trump remarked.
The President also spoke about the recent decision to impose a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including what he described as penalties related to Russian oil imports. He defended the measure as part of his broader trade agenda, arguing that the US must protect its economic interests. At the same time, Trump was careful to stress his “very good” relationship with Prime Minister Modi, recalling their joint press conference in the Rose Garden during Modi’s visit to Washington earlier this year.
The controversy was sparked by Trump’s post on Truth Social earlier in the day, in which he wrote: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” The remark followed a high-profile meeting of leaders from India, Russia, and China at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, where the three nations signaled closer alignment on certain strategic issues.
The White House has since attempted to balance Trump’s tough rhetoric with reassurance of ongoing engagement with New Delhi. Peter Navarro, Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing, accused India of “profiteering” from Russian oil while claiming that India’s tariff regime was costing American jobs. Echoing the President’s concerns, White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett told reporters that both Trump and his trade team were “disappointed that India continues to fund Russia’s Ukraine war,” though he added that they still hoped for “positive developments.”
India, meanwhile, has refrained from a direct public response to Trump’s latest remarks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declined comment on his post linking India, Russia, and China, but a spokesperson reiterated that India remains engaged with Washington on trade issues. The MEA has consistently maintained that India’s relationships with individual countries are guided by its own national interests and should not be seen through the prism of third-party concerns.
The latest exchange comes at a sensitive time in India-US relations. While New Delhi has sought to deepen strategic cooperation with Washington on defense, technology, and the Indo-Pacific, it has also defended its right to purchase Russian energy supplies on favorable terms, citing national energy security. Trump’s strong words, paired with high tariffs, signal growing friction even as both governments publicly emphasize shared interests in global security and economic growth.
With the US election cycle intensifying and global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East adding urgency to diplomatic alignments, Trump’s recalibrated statement may be an attempt to prevent his earlier remark from being read as a breakdown in ties with one of Washington’s key strategic partners. However, his disappointment over Russian oil imports and punitive tariff measures underline that trade and energy politics remain major pressure points in the relationship.