WASHINGTON– Former U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice has warned that India could chart “a different direction” in its foreign policy, calling such a move a “huge loss” for the United States.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this week, Rice described India as a “proud and strong nation” whose relationship with Washington has been strained under the Trump administration. She said President Donald Trump’s attempt to take credit for easing tensions between India and Pakistan backfired and soured 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,” Rice said. “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.”
Her remarks came as signs emerged that U.S.–India ties may be improving. On Tuesday, Trump phoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him a happy 75th birthday. Modi later posted on X, thanking Trump for the call and describing him as a “friend,” while pledging to strengthen the Comprehensive and Global Partnership between the two countries. Trump echoed the sentiment on Truth Social, praising Modi’s leadership and thanking him for supporting efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
The same day, U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch met in New Delhi with India’s chief trade negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. Both sides described the discussions as “positive.”
Still, Rice argued that the administration’s overall approach has weakened America’s strategic standing with India. She pointed to New Delhi’s recent participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit alongside Russia and China — rivals with whom India has historically had tense relations.
“What was so striking about what happened at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was … 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 said.
Her criticism echoed remarks made last week by Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), who told IANS that Modi’s outreach to Beijing sent a clear message that India “has options” beyond Washington. (Source: IANS)
