What Did MEA Say About Trump's Comments on India and Russia?
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Synopsis
In a notable development, India has opted to remain silent on Donald Trump's latest remarks regarding the nation's ties with China. The US President claimed that India and Russia have been lost to 'deepest, darkest China.' This article explores the implications of Trump's statements and India's diplomatic stance.
Key Takeaways
- India chose not to comment on Trump's statements.
- Trump claims US lost India and Russia to China.
- High tariffs are a point of contention in US-India relations.
- Bilateral meetings took place at the SCO Summit.
- MEA criticized the US for imposing tariffs.
New Delhi, Sep 5 (NationPress) On Friday, India chose not to respond to US President Donald Trump's recent post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he claimed that the US has lost India and Russia to “deepest, darkest China” and expressed hopes for a prosperous future among the three nations.
During a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “I have no comments to offer on this post at this time.”
Earlier in the day, Trump posted, “Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together! President Donald J. Trump.” The post was accompanied by a photograph featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This statement from Trump follows PM Modi and Putin's recent visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. During their visit from August 31 to September, PM Modi engaged in bilateral talks with both Xi and Putin on the summit sidelines. Additionally, bilateral discussions took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Online, a video showcasing the three leaders in an informal conversation just before the summit gained significant attention. The images depicted them smiling and chatting, reminiscent of a similar moment captured during the previous year's BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated that the India-US relationship has been “one-sided for many years”, citing high tariffs as a major hindrance to American exports.
“We get along with India very well,” Trump stated. “But India, you have to understand, for many years, it was a one-sided relationship.”
He again claimed that India's tariffs on US exports are “about the highest in the world.”
“India was charging us tremendous tariffs, about the highest in the world. They were about the highest in the world, number one. And we therefore weren't doing much business with India. But they were doing business with us because we weren't charging them foolishly,” he added.
Trump criticized previous administrations for allowing India to dominate the market, stating, “They would send in massive, you know, everything they made… pour it into our country. Therefore, it wouldn’t be made here.” He noted that the US was unable to export to India due to “100 percent tariffs.”
India and the United States had been involved in extensive trade negotiations before the Trump administration unexpectedly imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports in August, later increasing it to 50 percent due to New Delhi's acquisition of Russian oil.
In response, the MEA labeled the US decision as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” emphasizing the need to respect India's energy requirements and strategic autonomy.
Point of View
It's essential to approach this situation with an unbiased lens. India's diplomatic strategy remains focused on maintaining strong relations with all major global powers while safeguarding its national interests.
NationPress
05/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about India and Russia?
Trump claimed that the US has lost India and Russia to 'deepest, darkest China' and expressed hopes for their prosperous future together.
What was India's response to Trump's comments?
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that they have no comments to offer on the matter.
Why does Trump believe the India-US relationship is one-sided?
Trump argues that India's high tariffs on US exports have created an unbalanced relationship, with the US facing significant barriers to trade.
What recent meetings took place between India and China?
PM Modi and President Putin attended the SCO Summit in China, where they held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping.
How did India react to the US tariffs imposed in August?
The MEA described the US tariffs as 'unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,' highlighting the need for respect for India's energy needs.
