Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up a high-profile SCO Summit in Tianjin, with images alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping quickly going viral. Modi’s meeting with Xi—his first China visit in seven years—revived memories of the old slogan “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” even as the two nations navigate a turbulent history marked by border clashes and mistrust.
Analysts suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war may have indirectly nudged India and China closer together, despite their adversarial past. Washington imposed steep tariffs on India to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine war, but underestimated New Delhi’s commitment to balanced diplomacy—engaging partners and rivals alike.
TRUMP DEFENDS 50% TARIFFS ON INDIA AFTER MODI-XI-PUTIN SCO MEET
Just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit in China, where leaders discussed global trade and U.S. tariff challenges, President Donald Trump doubled down on his decision to impose steep 50% tariffs on India.
Calling the U.S.-India relationship “one-sided,” Trump again cited New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil and military equipment as justification for the duties. As Indian and U.S. trade officials work to find common ground, Trump issued a sharp warning—claiming India had offered to cut import duties, though Delhi has made no such announcement—adding that any concessions might be “too late.”
TRUMP CLAIMS INDIA OFFERED ZERO TARIFFS
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that India has offered to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, stressing that New Delhi should have acted “years ago.” The assertion comes as Washington maintains some of the world’s steepest duties on India—25% reciprocal tariffs plus an additional 25% levy tied to India’s Russian oil imports, bringing the total to 50%.
Trump has repeatedly accused India of fueling Moscow’s war in Ukraine through its oil purchases, even as he has refrained from imposing harsher sanctions directly on Russia. Defending India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar argued that Washington’s approach is inconsistent, pointing out that China and the European Union remain far larger importers of Russian crude and LNG, yet face no similar penalties.
TRUMP SLAMS INDIA-US TRADE AS ‘ONE-SIDED DISASTER,’ JUSTIFIES TARIFFS
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (Sep 1) lashed out at India-US trade ties in a fiery Truth Social post, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping displayed visible camaraderie at the SCO Summit in Tianjin.
Calling the relationship a “one-sided disaster,” Trump claimed India sells “massive amounts of goods” to the U.S. while buying very little in return, arguing Washington has been New Delhi’s “biggest client” for decades. He reiterated his disappointment over India’s oil purchases from Russia, defending his steep tariffs as justified.
XI CALLS INDIA, URGES FRIENDSHIP WITH MODI
Chinese President Xi Jinping described India and China as the world’s “most civilizational countries” during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit 2025 in Tianjin. Xi said, “The world is going towards transformation. It is vital to be friends, the Dragon and the Elephant to come together.”
The remark signaled Beijing’s intent to project India-China cooperation as essential for global stability and multipolarity. Modi, for his part, emphasized trust, respect, and sensitivity as the guiding principles for bilateral ties.
