Former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney has expressed concern over recent signs of an improving relationship between India and China. He warns that a shift in India’s strategic alignment could have serious implications for US foreign policy.

Speaking to Sky News, Mulvaney described India as “an absolutely critical piece of the puzzle” as the United States continues to recalibrate its approach to China. Trump’s ex-aide expressed unease over Modi’s recent interactions with Xi, which were widely interpreted as cordial despite long-standing border tensions and deep geopolitical issues between the two Asian countries.

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What did Mick Mulvaney say about India-China relations?

Mulvaney stated in an interaction with Sky News, “India is an absolutely critical piece of the puzzle as America tries to figure out what to do about China… & to see Modi as friendly with Xi as he has been the last couple of days is certainly concerning to us…Cuddling up to China is worrisome to us, and it makes us wonder, ‘Here, have we pushed India into the arms of the Chinese, and if so, what can we do to stop that from going any further?’

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China-India relations in recent times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on August 31.

This was Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. In the meeting, both leaders expressed a desire for partnership over rivalry. Xi stated that China and India should view their relationship with a “strategic height and long-term perspective,” while Modi added that an “atmosphere of peace and stability” now prevailing between the two nations.

Modi announced the resumption of direct flights between India and China, suspended since the border clashes in 2020.

This diplomatic warming comes amid strained US-India ties, particularly after President Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Trump’s move, raising tariffs up to 50% has inadvertently pushed New Delhi closer to Beijing.