India strengthens ties with China as U.S. relations falter under Trump

Monday 18 August 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

India strengthens ties with China as U.S. relations falter under Trump

India-China relations thaw amid border discussions

India and China are witnessing a notable warming of ties as U.S.-India relations face growing strain under President Donald Trump. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting New Delhi for the first time in over three years to meet with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. High on the agenda is the reduction of troops along the disputed Himalayan border—a significant step forward after years of tension following a deadly 2020 clash.

Both nations appear eager to avoid the high costs of frozen relations. China aims to pull India away from perceived overdependence on the U.S., while India seeks to reclaim its strategic autonomy in the face of Washington’s increasingly inconsistent policies.

U.S.-India relations suffer amid tariffs and trade disputes

The Trump Administration’s trade policies have strained U.S.-India relations. Trump recently imposed a "secondary tariff" on India for purchasing Russian oil, bringing tariffs on Indian goods to a staggering 50%. Meanwhile, Trump ruled out similar penalties for China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, as Washington and Beijing engage in ongoing trade negotiations.

Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, openly criticized India’s actions, labeling them “opportunistic” and threatening further economic repercussions. The Trump Administration has also pressed India to open its agricultural and dairy markets, demands that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly resisted.

India's frustration with U.S. policies has grown as Trump simultaneously strengthens ties with Pakistan, claiming credit for brokering a ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad earlier this year. For India, the move was viewed as a betrayal, especially given Pakistan’s longstanding support from China.

Trade diversification and rapprochement with China

India and China have been gradually mending their relationship, with military disengagement along the Himalayan border and resumed direct flights after a five-year hiatus. Modi is expected to visit China later this month, marking his first trip there in seven years.

The Trump Administration’s tariffs have catalyzed a global push for trade diversification, prompting India and China to recognize the untapped potential of their bilateral trade. Experts suggest that India, facing crippling tariffs on key sectors, is seeking to hedge against overreliance on the U.S. by pursuing stronger ties with China, Russia, and other nations.

Implications for U.S. influence and global power dynamics

Improved India-China relations could diminish U.S. influence in Asia and challenge Trump’s attempts to rebalance global trade in the U.S.’s favor. While this shift may initially strain U.S.-India ties, it could also lead to Washington doubling down on efforts to retain India as a strategic partner.

Analysts argue that the U.S.’s apparent unreliability under Trump is accelerating a broader trend toward multipolarity. India’s closer ties with China, Russia, and the EU could strengthen these powers as major poles in the international system while legitimizing institutions like BRICS.

India’s defiance of U.S. pressure suggests it remains committed to maintaining its independent foreign policy. The Trump Administration’s approach, rooted in outdated assumptions about U.S. dominance, is testing the limits of American power in an increasingly interconnected and multipolar world.