Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in August 2025 has been widely hailed as a diplomatic masterstroke. Coming after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs of upto 50% on Indian exports, Modi’s back-to-back meetings with Chinese President Xi
Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signal a bold recalibration of India’s foreign policy and a direct counterpunch to Washington’s trade pressure.
For over seven years, Modi had not set foot in China. The timing of his trip, therefore, is far from coincidental. With Trump’s tariffs threatening Indian manufacturers and exporters, Modi’s decision to embrace regional giants China and Russia demonstrates India’s resolve to diversify its partnerships and avoid being cornered by U.S. economic
coercion.
In Tianjin, Modi and Xi discussed measures to restore normalcy in bilateral relations, including resuming direct flights, enhancing border management, and boosting economic cooperation. But the economic subtext was far deeper. By opening doors for increased Indian exports of pharmaceuticals, IT services, and agricultural products to
China, Modi is seeking to offset the potential losses from Trump’s tariff war. Improved ties could also unlock long-stalled Chinese investments in India’s infrastructure and green energy projects sectors vital for job creation and long-term growth.
Equally significant is Modi’s scheduled meeting with President Putin. Russia remains a key supplier of energy and defense equipment to India, and their partnership has weathered sanctions and geopolitical turbulence. For India, closer energy deals with Russia could secure cheaper oil and gas imports at a time when global prices are
volatile, shielding the Indian economy from external shocks. Joint ventures in defense manufacturing and critical technology also promise to boost India’s self-reliance and reduce its dependence on Western suppliers.
Trump’s tariff barrage, intended to bend India into submission, may instead have accelerated a realignment that Washington least desires. The SCO platform, hosted by Xi, provided the perfect stage for Modi to showcase that India has options beyond the U.S. orbit. China and Russia, both under strain from American sanctions and rivalry,
welcomed Modi’s outreach as a sign of strengthening multipolar solidarity. The broader message from Tianjin is clear: India will not be bullied into trade concessions by tariff threats. By leveraging its place in Eurasian forums and reinforcing ties with China and Russia, New Delhi has effectively turned Trump’s pressure tactics into an opportunity. Far from isolating India, Washington’s tariff war has pushed New Delhi closer to America’s biggest strategic competitors while also opening fresh avenues for trade, investment, and energy security.
Modi’s move is not without risks, but as a geopolitical signal it is powerful. At a moment when global alignments are shifting, India has shown it can play the great game with boldness and that Trump’s tariff gamble may have backfired….
I wonder Trump Worst Decision wnt “Make America Great Again” !