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India finds Trump tariff
antidote in China
3 September 2025
The first Trump administration saw strengthened ties with India and even the resurgence of the Quad since it went dormant in the early 2010s. However, US-India relations during the second Trump term have become increasingly fraught, with punitive tariffs and regular criticisms from US spokespeople over India continuing to buy Russian oil and their denial of any US mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
Rather than simply pulling back from the United States, this week India is actively flaunting ties with China and Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting where he has met with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Given the ongoing tensions between India and China over a border dispute, this trip by Modi signals a significant shift in direction away from the United States and towards China and Russia, who share a “no limits” partnership, which they entered into after Russia invaded Ukraine. In Modi’s remarks at the event, he described India’s relationship with Russia as “special and privileged.”
Putin has been riding a wave of greater acceptance on the global stage since his Alaska Summit with President Trump and he has only stepped up his aggression with continued fighting and GPS jamming of European flights, allegedly including one with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The images from China show ebullient grins from Xi, Putin and Modi as they are each finding something to benefit from in their time together. Xi is enjoying his greatest success so far in positioning China as a counterbalance to US disruption, Putin is relishing in his acceptance and re-entry to a global stage and India is finding security and succour in sharp contrast to their recent experiences with the United States.
Mari Koeck
Director, Engagement and Impact
Lead photo: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 on
1 September 2025 in Tianjin, China (Photo by Suo Takekuma for Getty Images).
"This is a reflection of the depth and scope of our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India and Russia have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder even in
the most difficult situations."
Remarks from Prime Minister Modi during his meeting with President Putin | 1 September 2025
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Upcoming events
CONFERENCE
The lineup of distinguished speakers and panellists joining us for the 2025 Sydney International Strategy Forum continues to grow.
Newly confirmed speakers include former US Deputy Secretary of State and Chairman and Co-Founder of The Asia Group Dr Kurt Campbell, former US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines (virtual), former Representative in the Japanese House of Representatives Wada Yoshiaki, former Singaporean Ambassador to the Russian Federation and Permanent Representative to the UN Bilahari Kausikan, Director-General of the Australian Office of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer, Chief Economist at Barrenjoey Capital Partners Jo Masters, Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX Katherine Mansted, Director of Research and Economics at the Australian Industry Group Dr Jeffrey Wilson and USSC Chairman and former Australian Ambassador to the United States the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO.
From the AUKUS review to tariffs, this timely forum will provide strategic insights to help government and businesses chart a course in an increasingly contested and changing geopolitical environment.
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17 September 2025
The Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Full price ticket $875
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