'Looks like we've lost India, Russia to China': Trump shares photo of Modi, Xi and Putin; MEA says 'no comments'

Trump’s comment, blending sarcasm with a hint of warning, clearly reflects America's concerns over the strengthening ties between the three countries showcased at the SCO meeting, which has uneased the West.

The trade ties between Washington and New Delhi seem to be heading towards an all-time low amid Trump's imposition of 25% reciprocal duties on Indian goods and another 25% levy on India’s purchase of Russian crude.

The US President has repeatedly accused India of “fueling Russia’s deadly attacks on Ukraine” by buying discounted oil, even though Washington has held back from directly sanctioning Moscow.

In a separate post earlier this week, he called the US-India trade relationship a “one-sided disaster,” saying India sold “massive amounts of goods” to the US but bought “very little” in return. He also criticised India’s dependence on Russian oil and defence supplies, saying it purchased “very little from the U.S.”

India has maintained that trade negotiations are ongoing. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently noted that discussions with Washington were continuing to address differences and expressed hope that a bilateral trade agreement between the two nations would be concluded by November. Goyal said that “a little bit” of geopolitical issues overtook the trade matters in the negotiations for the pact between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that India will not compromise on domestic priorities. “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers,” PM Modi said. He also asserted that “pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it.”

Trump's efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine have failed to produce a breakthrough, and he has been tightlipped on what his next move will be as he seeks an end to the war.

While the United States has imposed sanctions on India as punishment for buying Russian oil, Trump so far has not done this with China, which imports a lot of Russian oil and is holding trade talks with Washington.

Trump has been talking tough of late about China, however. On Tuesday he accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of conspiring against the United States with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when the three gathered in Beijing to watch a big military parade commemorating the end of World War II.