US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” with India for purchasing oil from Russia. During a press conference in the Oval Office, a Journalist asks him, “Who do you blame for losing India to China?” Trump said, “I don’t think we have. I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia. And I let them know that. We put a very big tariff on India. 50 per cent tariff, very high tariff.”
Adding to that, the US President said, “I get along very well with Modi, as you know. He’s great. He was here a couple of months ago.”
Journalist: Who do you blame for losing India to China?
Trump: Well I don’t think we have lost them. I’m disappointed that India is buying Russian oil and I’ve let them know with the 50% tariff. But I get along very well with Modi. pic.twitter.com/34zgzGcG4E
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) September 5, 2025
On Friday, Trump hinted that ties between Washington and New Delhi had hit their lowest point, suggesting that the US had “lost” India and Russia to “the darkest China”. His comments came soon after Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.
Sharing the photo of PM Modi with Xi and Putin on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!”
The SCO Summit, hosted by Xi Jinping, was attended by several world leaders. The warm display between PM Modi, Putin and Xi was described by some as “a turning point” and a sign of a “new world order” amid Trump’s ongoing tariff war.
Praise for PM Modi despite concerns
Despite the criticism, Trump underlined the “very special relationship” between India and the United States, stressing that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will “always be friends” despite occasional disagreements.
When asked by reporters if he was ready to reset ties with India, Trump said, “I always will. I’ll always be friends with Prime Minister Modi. He’s a great leader. I’ll always be friends, but I don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. Still, India and the United States share a very special bond. There is nothing to worry about. We just have our differences at times.”
Trump optimistic about trade talks
Trump sounded hopeful about ongoing trade talks with India and other nations where agreements are still pending. “They are going great. Other countries are doing great. We are doing great with all of them,” he said.
India has not officially responded to Trump’s claim that New Delhi appears to be leaning closer to Moscow and Beijing. However, relations between India and the US have clearly strained in recent months, particularly after Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods last month. This included a 25 per cent base tariff and another 25 per cent penalty over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.