Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has publicly criticized the current Trump administration’s approach to India, accusing it of undoing years of efforts to build a strong partnership. Bolton, a fierce critic of President Donald Trump, argued that Trump’s policies pushed India closer to Russia and China, damaging the progress made over decades.
In an interview with Sky News, Bolton claimed that Trump “shredded” the decades-old US-India relationship. He said, “Trump recent weeks have reversed many of the steps that brought India and the US closer, and instead, pushed India back toward Russia and China. This undermines efforts to create a balanced alliance in the region.”
Bolton explained that before Trump, the US worked hard to reduce India’s Cold War-era dependence on Russia and China. The goal was to strengthen ties with India and promote regional security through partnerships like the QUAD, which includes Japan, India, Australia, and the US.
He also criticized Trump’s handling of trade talks with India, mentioning how negotiations were abruptly ended, leading to hefty tariffs. “India thought they were close to resolving trade issues, but Trump suddenly slapped a 25% tariff — and then another 25% — on Indian goods. Interestingly, he did not do the same to Russia or China, even though China is India’s biggest trading partner for goods like oil and gas,” Bolton said.
Bolton also pointed out Trump’s role in the India-Pakistan conflict escalation in Kashmir earlier this year. He claimed Trump took full credit for “stopping” the conflict, calling it one of the wars he claimed to have ended, which angered India. “Trump’s comments about the conflict—and bragging about stopping it—have upset India very much,” Bolton added.
Most recently, President Biden’s administration has criticized India’s trade practices, calling the economic relationship “one-sided and disastrous.”
Meanwhile, Bolton has been in the news for legal issues, as federal agents raided his home and office last week over allegations related to classified documents. The US media reports these raids are connected to the ongoing investigation into his ownership of sensitive government papers.
This ongoing controversy highlights the complex and sometimes tense relationship between the US and India, especially amid shifting policies and international alliances.
