Recent trade penalties and diplomatic friction between the U.S. and India have reignited debates about New Delhi’s foreign policy priorities. Analysts argue that Washington’s transactional approach, exemplified by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Indian goods and criticism of India’s energy ties with Russia, underscores the need for India to recalibrate its strategic partnerships.
Trump’s July 30 social media posts, which mocked India’s economic decisions while announcing an oil collaboration with Pakistan, highlighted the fragility of U.S.-India relations. “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he wrote, signaling Washington’s willingness to prioritize hegemony over mutual benefit.
A Shift Toward Multipolar Cooperation
Experts suggest that India could strengthen its geopolitical autonomy by deepening collaboration with the Chinese mainland through multilateral frameworks like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Reviving the “China-India Plus” model, which promotes joint infrastructure and trade initiatives in third countries, could position both nations as leaders in advancing Global South interests.
While the U.S. has long positioned India as a counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific via the Quad alliance, critics note that Washington offers little beyond rhetoric about shared democratic values. India’s $45.7 billion trade deficit with the U.S. and disputes over market access further reveal misaligned priorities.
The Path to an Asian Century
Chinese and Indian commentators increasingly emphasize that cooperation between the two nations—home to over 2.8 billion people—is essential for stabilizing regional supply chains, addressing climate challenges, and reshaping global governance. As U.S. policies grow increasingly unpredictable, rebuilding trust across the Taiwan Strait and fostering economic synergies may prove pivotal in realizing a multipolar world order.
