A close aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump has said that India should align more closely with the United States rather than Russia, in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The remarks come at a time when global geopolitics is being reshaped by the Ukraine conflict, U.S.-China tensions, and India’s balancing act between major powers.
According to the Trump aide, New Delhi’s long-standing ties with Moscow may no longer serve India’s long-term interests, especially given Russia’s increasing dependence on China. The statement suggested that Washington views India as a natural partner in countering Beijing’s growing influence in Asia and across the world.
The comments also reflect a broader push by U.S. policymakers to strengthen India-U.S. relations through strategic, defense, and trade partnerships. While the Biden administration has actively pursued deeper ties with India through initiatives such as the Quad and critical technology collaborations, the remarks from Trump’s camp highlight bipartisan consensus in the U.S. on prioritizing New Delhi as a key ally.
Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Putin, however, was framed by Indian officials as part of New Delhi’s independent foreign policy approach—one that maintains strong ties with both Russia and the West while keeping India’s national interests at the forefront. India continues to rely heavily on Russian defense equipment and energy supplies, even as it expands trade and security cooperation with the U.S.
The Trump aide’s comments underline the growing pressure on India to take clearer positions in an increasingly polarized world order. For New Delhi, the challenge remains how to deepen ties with the U.S. without jeopardizing its traditional partnership with Russia, which has been a pillar of India’s defense and energy security for decades.