'Pushing Modi closer to Russia, China': John Bolton blasts Trump’s tariff policy, again

Bolton’s comments come amid heightened global uncertainty, following Trump’s tariff measures and the conclusion of the 25th SCO summit in Tianjin, China.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, on Thursday, launched another sharp attack on President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, warning that it has pushed Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to Russia and China, reversing decades of diplomatic efforts by previous US administrations.

Taking to microblogging site X, Bolton said, “The White House has set US-India relations back decades, pushing Modi closer to Russia and China. Beijing has cast itself as an alternative to the US and Donald Trump.”

Bolton, expanding on his remarks during an appearance on Tonight with Andrew Marr, said Trump views foreign policy largely through personal relationships.

“I think Trump sees international relations through the prism of his personal relations with leaders. So if he has a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, the US has a good relationship with Russia, that’s obviously not the case.”

He also remarked that Trump’s rapport with PM Modi had collapsed under tariff tensions.

“Trump had a very good relationship personally with Modi. I think that’s gone now. And it’s a lesson to everybody, for example, Keir Starmer, that a good personal relationship may help at times, but it won’t protect you from the worst.”

The White House has set U.S.-India relations back decades, pushing Modi closer to Russia and China. Beijing has cast itself as an alternative to the U.S. and Donald Trump.https://t.co/klFKyh1BrK

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) September 3, 2025

Notably, this is not the first time that he has taken a dig at the President for his latest sanctions on India.

In a series of posts on Monday, he has argued that Trump’s move to impose a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, followed by an additional 25 percent over India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, had “shredded” Western efforts to distance New Delhi from its Cold War ties.

“The West has spent decades trying to wean India away from its Cold War attachment to the Soviet Union/ Russia, and cautioning India on the threat posed by China. Donald Trump has shredded decades of efforts with his disastrous tariff policy,” Bolton had posted.

In another message, he had noted, “Donald Trump’s unwillingness to consider diplomatic moves in a larger strategic context has given Xi Jinping an opportunity to reset the East.”

Bolton’s comments come amid heightened global uncertainty, following Trump’s tariff measures and the conclusion of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

PM Modi, who attended the SCO summit in China on August 31 and September 1, held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the summit's sidelines.

During his meeting with Putin, PM Modi highlighted the enduring strength of India-Russia ties, stating that both nations have “always stood shoulder to shoulder, even in the most challenging situations.”

The Prime Minister further said cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow was vital for “global peace, stability and prosperity.” Putin, meanwhile, emphasised that 2025 marks the 15th anniversary of the India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”