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Key Points

Former US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has sharply criticized the Trump administration's handling of relations with India. She specifically pointed to Trump's attempt to claim credit for defusing India-Pakistan tensions as damaging the relationship. Rice warned that these policies have pushed India toward closer ties with China and Russia, which she called a "huge loss" for the United States. Despite recent positive developments like Trump's birthday call to Modi, concerns remain about the long-term impact on US-India relations.

Key Points: Susan Rice Says Trump Pushed India Toward China and Russia

  • Rice blames Trump's claim of credit for India-Pakistan tensions for worsening ties
  • Warns India moving toward Russia and China within weeks as consequence
  • Recent Trump-Modi birthday call shows relationship may be improving
  • Congresswoman calls Modi's China visit a "smart move" showing he has options
3 min read

Former US NSA calls India 'proud and strong', criticises Trump's India strategy  

Former US NSA Susan Rice warns Trump's policies caused India to "go in a different direction," calling it a "huge loss" for America as ties show signs of thaw.

"India as a proud and strong nation saying, we're going to go in a different direction. That's a huge loss - Susan Rice"

Washington, Sep 17

Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) Susan Rice has described India as a "proud and strong nation" that may "go in a different direction" due to the Trump administration’s policies - a possible move which she characterised as a "huge loss" for the United States.

Speaking at an event organised by Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank, earlier this week, Rice blamed US President Donald Trump’s attempt to claim credit for defusing tensions between India and Pakistan as one of the main reasons for worsening ties with New Delhi.

"It seems to be more about personal pique and the fact that when the President claimed credit for defusing the conflict between India and Pakistan, India didn't rush to embrace that narrative for reasons that many of us understand. And as a consequence, we now have seen India as a proud and strong nation saying, we're going to go in a different direction. That's a huge loss," Rice emphasised.

The former NSA's statement comes as the India-US relationship appears to be on the mend. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend greetings on his 75th birthday.

Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, called Trump his "friend" and thanked him for the wishes.

"Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict," PM Modi wrote.

President Trump also posted on Truth Social, calling the phone call “wonderful” and thanked PM Modi for his support in attempting to end the conflict in Ukraine.

“Just had a wonderful phone call with my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wished him a very Happy Birthday! He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine! President DJT," he wrote.

The call took place as US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch held talks with India’s chief trade negotiator and Ministry of Commerce and Industry Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal in Delhi earlier on Tuesday.

Both sides termed the discussions as “positive.”

Despite the recent thaw, Rice criticised the Trump administration’s overall India strategy that has “pushed” it toward China and Russia “within a matter of weeks.”

“What was so striking about what happened at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was, among other things, India being pushed into or moving into, literally, a grasping of hands with Russia and China, with whom, not long ago, they were, at least with China, firing shots," she emphasised during the Washington event.

Last week, in an exclusive interview with the IANS, Congresswoman Deborah Ross termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China as a “smart move” to send a message to the United States that “he has options.”

“I think it was actually a smart move for him to do that, because he showed that he has options,” she noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
India's foreign policy has always been about maintaining strategic autonomy. Engaging with multiple powers including Russia and China is not being "pushed" anywhere - it's smart diplomacy. We've learned from non-alignment era!
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Michael C
As someone following India-US relations closely, I think both sides need to show more maturity. The relationship is too important to be affected by personal egos or temporary political differences.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, India should focus on its own interests first. If engaging with multiple partners serves our national interest, so be it. The world needs to understand that India is no longer a follower but a leader in making. ✨
K
Karthik V
While I appreciate Susan Rice's perspective, I think we should be careful about over-interpreting diplomatic gestures. The Modi-Trump phone call shows that relationships can be mended. Let's not jump to conclusions about India "moving away" from US.
S
Sarah B
It's interesting to see how India is playing the diplomatic game. Having options is exactly what a rising power should do. The multipolar world is here, and India is positioning itself smartly.

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