Archive · 2 Sep 2025
US-India Relations Strained Amid Trade Disputes and Geopolitical Shifts
The US is having disagreements with India about trade, specifically because India is still buying oil from Russia.
This is happening while Russia and Ukraine are at war.
A US official thinks this is bad and has imposed tariffs on India.
Some US officials are critical of India's meetings with Russia and China at a recent summit.
A former Trump advisor said the tariffs undid years of work.
But other officials hope the trade issues can be resolved.
India and Russia have a long friendship.
US imposed tariffs on India due to its continued purchase of Russian oil.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the SCO summit as largely 'performative'.
Former Trump advisor John Bolton criticized Trump's trade measures, saying they damaged US-India relations.
Prime Minister Modi met with Putin and Xi at the SCO summit in China.
Peter Navarro expressed disappointment that Modi met with Putin and Xi.
- Who
- Scott Bessent, Donald Trump, John Bolton, Peter Navarro, Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping
- What
- US-India trade disputes, India's purchase of Russian oil, US tariffs, SCO summit, potential sanctions against Russia
- When
- Recent days
- Where
- SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
- Why
- Address trade imbalances, navigate geopolitical pressures, and respond to the Russia-Ukraine conflict
US Perspective
India's Perspective
Trade and Alliances
US Perspective
US officials are concerned about India's ties with Russia and China.
India's Perspective
India has historic ties with Russia and seeks to balance relationships.
Russian Oil
US Perspective
The US views India's purchase of Russian oil as problematic.
India's Perspective
India continues to buy Russian oil.
Tariffs
US Perspective
US tariffs are a response to India's actions.
India's Perspective
Not explicitly stated.
- Key Figures
- Scott Bessent, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, John Bolton, Peter Navarro
- Events
- SCO Summit, Russia-Ukraine Conflict, US Tariff Imposition
- US Actions
- Tariffs on India, Considering Further Sanctions on Russia
- India's Actions
- Purchasing Russian Oil, Participation in SCO Summit, Trade with China
- Key Statements
- Bessent: SCO is 'performative'; Bolton: Trump's tariff policy has 'shredded' efforts; Navarro: Modi should align with the US
Sources
Modi, Putin set to meet today in shadow of Trump tariff over oil
Modi to encounter Pakistan’s Sharif, hold talks with Putin… Why Day 2 of SCO Summit is crucial
PM Narendra Modi to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tianjin today amid US pressure over Russian oil buys
SCO summit day 2: PM Modi, Putin to hold talks amid tension over Trump tariffs for Russia oil
Russian oil discounts likely to continue at current levels post new price cap implementation
‘Brahmins profiteering’: Peter Navarro's latest twist to Delhi Moscow oil ties
‘Brahmins profiteering’: Trump aide Navarro’s unusual take on India’s Russian oil purchases
‘Exports good, imports bad’ is the flawed logic driving Trump’s tariff politics
Breaking News LIVE: PM Modi To Speak At Opening SCO Members Session Shortly
PM Modi SCO Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: PM Modi To Address SCO Summit’s Plenary Session Shortly
India-China ties key to welfare of 2.8 bn people: Modi to Xi
PM Modi-Xi Meeting Sadly Failed To Deliver On Substantive Issues: A Owaisi
Dragon and elephant can dance together: Jinping
Don't view India-China ties thru '3rd country lens': PM
'New System Of International Relations': Russian Envoy's Post Shows PM Modi With Xi, Putin
PM Modi at SCO Summit: Bilateral meets with Putin, Xi Jinping mark India’s engagement
From Conversation To Hugs: PM Modi Shares Moments With China’s Xi, Russia’s Putin In SCO Summit
Shehbaz Sharif Looks On As PM Modi, Putin Walk Past Him At SCO Summit In China's Tianjin | Video
Xi says China, partners will take Shanghai forum to a new level
PM Modi Arrives At SCO Summit Venue, Interacts With Vladimir Putin And Xi Jinping | Breaking News
"Always A Delight": PM Modi's Handshake, Hug With Putin Ahead Of SCO Summit
Xi says China, partners will take SCO security forum to a new level
China, India Vow to Resolve Border Differences at Meeting in Tianjin
SCO Summit 2025: PM Modi interacts with Putin, Xi; to address SCO Summit plenary session shortly
What Modi said about meeting Putin, Xi at SCO
SCO Summit: Russian President Putin greets PM Modi with warm hug, duo shares light moments with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping
Moscow’s oil helped India save $12.6 billion in 39 months; presumptive savings likely much higher as Russian oil imports kept global prices in check
India Needs Rs 1 Trillion to Dilute Trump Tariff Hit on Exporters, Workers
PM Modi Raises Cross-Border Terrorism At SCO Summit, Calls It A "Challenge"
Modi, Xi and Putin seen sharing some candid moments at SCO summit
How PM Modi Responded To Trump's Tariff War With Hugs, Handshakes With Xi, Putin
At SCO summit, China calls for SCO development bank
Foreign minister Jaishankar absent, PM Narendra Modi takes bold steps with Xi Jinping’s China
'Terrorism, humanity’s challenge, not just India’s': PM Modi at SCO Summit
Connectivity without respect for sovereignty loses trust and meaning: PM Modi at SCO Summit
PM Modi's SCO Vision Focuses on 'Security, Connectivity, Opportunity'
Modi, Putin hold bilateral talks
How PM Modi called out Pakistan in his speech at SCO Summit
How PM Modi’s China visit is not a reactionary act, but a multi-alignment strategy
Modi, Putin travel in same car for bilateral meet
PM Modi Calls for Reforms in Global Institutions at SCO Summit
PM Modi Meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at SCO Summit
Putin Calls Ukraine War a Consequence of 2014 Coup, Not Invasion, at SCO Summit
US Calls India Ties ‘Defining Relationship Of 21st Century’ As PM Modi Attends SCO Summit
'Ukraine Conflict Must Be Ended Soon': PM Modi In Bilateral Talks With Russian President Putin
India, Russia have always stood shoulder to shoulder: PM
Modi Meets Putin as US Ties Strain
SCO Optics: Sharif Snubbed, Modi-Xi-Putin 'Powerplay' In China - India's Rising Heft On Display?
India's Diplomatic Win, Pak's Facepalm: SCO Echoes PM Modi's Terror Message
PM Modi addresses SCO summit in Tianjin, meets Putin and Xi
"Humanity Wants An End To Russia-Ukraine Conflict," PM Modi Tells Putin In China
'Do Indian PSUs have a caste?': Ex Foreign Secretary counters Navarro's remark on Brahmins
India pushes back against US moves on Russian oil imports
Putin holds bilateral talks with 'dear friend' PM Modi, stresses strong ties amid Trump’s Russia oil penalty
'Tell Navarro to Stop Being Racist': US Embassy posts on India–US ties exactly as Modi, Putin meet at SCO – Desperate step or stern warning?
Had excellent meeting with Putin, says Modi@SCO
Ambani family postpones New York show as India-US tensions rise post Trump tariffs
PM Modi Shares Car Ride With Putin After SCO For Bilateral Meet
SCO Summit: Why PM Modi Met Xi Jinping's Top Man in Tianjin?
‘Reaching new heights’: As PM Modi meets Xi and Putin, US embassy hails ‘partnership’ with India
PM Modi, Putin Reaffirm 'Shoulder to Shoulder' Ties at SCO; Russia Welcomes India's Role on Ukraine Peace
PM Modi and President Putin Hold Bilateral Meeting Amid US Tariffs
Putin Waited For PM Modi, Had 45-Minute Car Chat Before Hour-Long Bilateral
Minutes Before PM-Putin Meet, US's "Defining Relationship" Signal To Delhi
PM Modi Putin Bilateral Meeting: Putin Calls PM Modi Mahamahim Pradhanmantri, Priya Dost At Bilateral Meet
US Embassy hails ‘enduring friendship’ with India as Modi meets Putin, Xi Jinping at SCO Summit
SCO Summit 2025: New beginning in India-China ties? 5 outcomes from Modi-Xi meeting that may lift Dalal Street
Handshake, Hug, Pat On Back: How PM Modi's Gestures Did The Talking At SCO
Modi is taking a layered approach to Beijing, say Chinese analysts
India pushes back against US moves on Russian Oil imports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping & Putin: 3 Leaders, One New Axis & 5 Key Takeaways From SCO Meet In China
China’s Xi pushes a new global order, flanked by leaders of Russia and India
PM Modi-Chinese President Xi's meeting reflects pragmatic approach from India, China
Donald Trump’s attempt to bully India fail spectacularly as India strengthens ties with Russia and China
From Qingdao Refusal to Tianjin Condemnation: How China’s Tone on Cross-Border Terror Shifted In Just 2 Months
"It's Getting Late": Trump Claims India "Offered To Cut Tariffs To Nothing"
India’s Zero-Tariff Proposal Won’t Work Now: Trump
Ties With India "One-Sided Disaster": Trump After PM Modi Meets Xi, Putin
India Buys Most Oil & Weapons From Russia, Very Little From US: President Donald Trump
Ties with India 'one-sided disaster', says U.S. President Donald Trump
'One-sided disaster...': Trump makes big 'no tariffs' claim on India-US trade amid Modi-Xi-Putin bonhomie at SCO
Trump calls India-US trade 'totally one sided disaster', shares 'facts for people to ponder'
Trump renews tariff warning to India as Modi meets Putin, Xi in Tianjin
Modi returns after Japan China trips, calls SCO summit 'productive'
PM Modi, Putin Hold 50-Minute Talk Inside Putin's Limousine Aurus Senat
For 50 minutes, PM Modi and Putin didn’t deboard limousine for private conversation: Russian radio
SCO Summit: Modi–Xi meeting signals cautious progress, border issue still central, experts say
Trump says India offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero
Editorial. Modi-Putin-Xi dynamics sends strong message
India, Russia have stood together shoulder-to-shoulder’ in challenging times: Modi
Trump claims India has 'offered' to cut tariffs to nothing, 'but it's getting late'
Putin, Trump Did Not Reach Agreement On Zelenskyy Meeting During Alaska Talks: Kremlin
Viral video shows Shehbaz Sharif snubbed as PM Modi and Putin walk past him at SCO Summit
China, Russia, and India Leaders Emphasize Cooperation in Message Addressed to Trump
India, Russia always stood shoulder-to-shoulder even in most difficult situations: PM Modi
‘Long before Ukraine conflict…’: Hardeep Puri fact-checks Navarro, says India ‘prevented catastrophic $200 per barrel shock’
Confused America! Trump slams India on trade hours after US embassy praises ties — Is it impact of Modi-Xi-Putin SCO meet?
India’s Realpolitik Churns Fine: Charts Strategic Autonomy In A Multipolar World
Modi returns after Japan, China trip; calls SCO summit 'productive'
Modi: Putin Talks Ranged From Trade To Ukraine War
Trump claims India offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to ‘nothing’: ‘One sided disaster!’
‘Two great countries will…’: Trump aide says US-India can resolve trade frictions amid strained ties after tariffs
Oil drifts as traders wait for OPEC+ and next US move on Russia
‘Two great countries will get this solved’: Scott Bessent on India-US trade tensions, calls SCO summit ‘performative’
Trump’s tariffs ‘shredded’ US efforts to realign India away from Moscow, says his former advisor
Pat Cummins Ruled Out Of White-Ball Series Against India
Fine balance: Editorial on India's artful diplomacy with Russia, Ukraine amid US pressure
'He needs to be with us, not Russia': Peter Navarro calls Modi’s meeting with Xi, Putin a mistake
Oil Rises As Russia-Ukraine Tensions Stoke Supply Concerns
"Two Great Nations Will Get This Solved": Team Trump Amid India Tariffs
‘Will get this solved’: Scott Bessent on India-US tensions as Trump admin mulls ‘all options’ on Russia
Watch: Peter Navarro rants against India again after Modi, Xi, Putin show of unity at SCO summit - 'it was a shame'
'Two Great Countries Will Get This Solved’: Trump Aide on Trade Talks with India; Calls SCO Meet 'Performative'
US Treasury Secretary Dismisses SCO As 'Performative,’ Stresses Trade Deal With India Possible
Former Trump advisor John Bolton on Trump: ‘Disastrous Tariff Policy’ Has ‘Shredded’ Decades of Efforts on India
