WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared that India and Russia appeared to have been "lost" to China after their leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, venting his frustration with New Delhi and Moscow as Beijing pushes for a new world order.
In a sharp social media post, Trump reacted to imagery from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in the Chinese port city of Tianjin.
"Seems like we’ve lost India and Russia to the deepest, darkest China. Have a long and prosperous future together!" Trump wrote, accompanying the text with a photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing alongside Xi.
However, in a characteristic reversal when speaking to reporters later on Friday, he walked back the assertion, particularly regarding India.
"I don't think we've lost [them]," Trump said. He then revealed the core of his frustration: "I'm very disappointed that India is buying so much oil from Russia, as you know. And I've let them know that."
The SCO summit, a major gathering of non-Western leaders, was a platform for President Xi to showcase China's growing global influence. The visuals from the event, particularly of Putin and Modi appearing friendly and holding hands as they approached Xi, seem to have provoked the U.S. president's initial outburst.
When asked about Trump's social media post, India's Ministry of External Affairs told reporters in New Delhi that it had no comment. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Kremlin representatives could not be reached.
Despite his clear irritation, Trump attempted to soften his criticism of the Indian leader, with whom he has cultivated a personal relationship.
"I will always be friends with Mr. Modi," Trump told reporters. "He's a great prime minister. He's fantastic. I'll always be friends, but I don't like what he's doing at this particular time. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There's nothing to worry about. We just have our moments sometimes."
The incident underscores the often-strained nature of U.S.-India relations under Trump, which have been marked by trade tensions and other disputes.
Trump's frustration also extends to Moscow. This week, he stated he was "very disappointed" in Putin, though he claimed not to be worried about a growing Russia-China relationship. His disappointment is largely fueled by his inability to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday evening, Trump confirmed that he intends to speak with Putin soon, though no details of the planned call were provided. The episode highlights the President's transactional view of foreign policy and his growing impatience with allies and adversaries alike who are forging closer ties in a shifting global landscape.
