India’s foreign policy position came under sharp criticism from a former trade adviser to former US President Donald Trump, who lashed out at New Delhi after the Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The adviser described India’s engagement with Russia and China as “shameful” and went further to take a personal swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that India was compromising its global standing by participating in the trilateral dialogue.
The remarks have sparked a fresh wave of debate on India’s balancing act in international politics. India has consistently maintained that its foreign policy decisions are driven by its national interest and an independent outlook. While India continues to engage with Western powers, including the United States, it has also retained dialogue with Russia and China through platforms like the RIC and SCO, which focus on regional cooperation, security, and economic stability.
The former US official accused India of sending the wrong signal by holding talks with Russia at a time when Moscow faces criticism from the West over the Ukraine conflict. He further suggested that India’s participation weakens the global coalition led by the US against Russia and China. His comments, however, have been received in India as politically motivated rhetoric rather than a serious critique of New Delhi’s policy choices.
Indian analysts and officials have reiterated that such statements ignore India’s long-standing strategic autonomy. India’s role in the SCO and RIC, they argue, allows it to safeguard its regional interests, counter terrorism, and ensure stability in Central Asia. Moreover, New Delhi has highlighted that maintaining dialogue channels with all major powers is crucial, especially during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.
Observers also point out that India’s ties with the US remain strong and continue to grow in areas like defense, trade, and technology. The criticism from a former Trump adviser does not represent official US policy, which under the current administration has focused on strengthening the Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia, as well as deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The jibe at Prime Minister Modi has been seen by many as unnecessary and provocative, designed more to attract attention in American political circles than to contribute to meaningful diplomatic discourse. Indian political leaders across parties have largely dismissed the remarks, stressing that India’s foreign policy will not be dictated by external criticism.
For India, participation in forums like the SCO and RIC remains part of its larger diplomatic strategy to engage with diverse blocs. New Delhi has often emphasized that dialogue, even with countries it has differences with, is essential to maintain global and regional balance.
As debates around India’s role in global politics intensify, this latest criticism underscores the challenges New Delhi faces in navigating its relationships with both Western and Eurasian powers. The government, however, continues to stress that India’s diplomacy will remain guided by independence, pragmatism, and national interest.
