India’s Strategic Shift: PM Modi Praises Putin, Warms Up to China Amid Trump’s Tariff Spree

New Delhi, —In a significant foreign policy development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call this week, calling him a “friend,” even as India faces growing friction with the United States over President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff measures.

Modi’s conversation with Putin came shortly after the Russian leader’s crucial meeting with Trump in Alaska. Reaffirming India’s stance on the Ukraine conflict, PM Modi emphasized support for a peaceful resolution and promised to stay in close contact with Moscow.

Tensions with the US Prompt a Geopolitical Pivot

India’s recent diplomatic moves suggest a broader realignment in its international posture. Trump’s administration recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports due to continued Russian oil purchases—causing concern across Indian industries reliant on global markets. In response, India is subtly shifting focus toward long-standing partners Russia and China.

According to reports, Putin also briefed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva about his me

eting with Trump, acknowledging Brazil’s role in the “Group of Friends for Peace” on Ukraine—a bloc that also includes China.

Meanwhile, India’s growing discomfort with the US has coincided with renewed engagement with Beijing. Hours after Modi’s call with Putin, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi—the first such visit in three years.

“We have seen a difficult period in our relationship and now seek to move ahead. Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict,” Jaishankar said. Wang echoed the sentiment, calling for a cooperative outlook in the face of “unilateral bullying” on the global stage.

Signals of Easing India-China Ties

India-China relations had nosedived after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, but recent developments hint at cautious thawing. China has eased restrictions on urea exports, while India has reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens. Additionally, Indian firms are increasingly pursuing technology transfer partnerships with Chinese companies.

Privately, Beijing has assured India of reliable supplies of fertilizers, rare earth elements, and infrastructure equipment—key components in India’s strategic sectors.

India-Russia Ties Remain Rock Solid

Despite global pressure, India has refused to scale back oil imports from Russia, citing historical and strategic ties dating back to the Cold War. India has also chosen not to join Western sanctions against Moscow, maintaining a neutral stance on the Ukraine war.

Modi and Putin had already spoken earlier this month, along with China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Lula, ahead of Putin’s meet with Trump. Their continued engagement signals India’s intent to reinforce BRICS ties amid changing global dynamics.

Modi’s Potential Visit to China

PM Modi is expected to visit China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit—his first trip to the country in seven years. If confirmed, Modi will meet Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit, further cementing the ongoing diplomatic shift.

Jaishankar, in a closing note, added, “It is our expectation that our discussions will contribute to building a stable, cooperative, and forward-looking relationship between India and China.”