With typically British cynical humor, the Economist magazine says Trump’s attacks on both India and Russia have driven them closer together. Headlined “Donald Trump looms over Vladimir Putin’s visit to India; America’s president is helping to make Indo-Russian relations great,” the article noted that “Well over half of Indians had a favorable view of Russia in 2023, compared with a 24-country median of 15%, according to a poll by Pew Research Center.
After Trump slapped 50% tariffs on India, “Mr. Modi has been avoiding summits where he might bump into Mr. Trump. India has responded by very publicly cozying up to Mr. Putin and Xi Jinping, China’s leader, most notably at a summit near Beijing in August. Photos of Mr. Modi embracing Mr. Putin this week will in part be intended to reinforce the message to America that India has plenty of other economic and defense partners.”
