Bolton Says Trump–Modi Rapport Is Now Gone
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has claimed that the once-strong personal bond between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has effectively ended, adding pressure to already strained India–U.S. ties.
Bolton Warns World Leaders
Bolton remarked that Trump’s past camaraderie with Modi is “gone now,” using it as an example to caution other world leaders. He said that even a warm personal relationship with Trump does not guarantee long-term diplomatic stability.
Tariffs Trigger Tensions
The former U.S. official linked the decline to Trump’s aggressive trade policy, which included a 50% tariff on Indian imports tied to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. Bolton said the decision had undone decades of Western efforts to bring India closer to democratic allies.
India’s Strategic Shifts
Bolton argued that the tariff regime has pushed India to strengthen ties with Russia and China, pointing to Modi’s recent participation with both leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. He described the shift as a setback to U.S. foreign policy and a blow to strategic trust with India.
