PM Modi and US President Donald Trump
The strict tariff policy of US President Donald Trump against India is now becoming a throat bone for them. Regarding this decision, deep resentment is emerging in America. Trump is now criticized by the people of his own country, in which a prominent name is from former National Security Advisor John Bolton. He has described the restrictions imposed on India as “highly and fruitless”. Bolton clearly says that India neither violated any international rules nor broke any ban. Nevertheless, the way the Trump administration targeted the entire Indian trade, it can prove to be dangerous and reverse for America’s foreign policy.
Bolton told Trump’s policy ‘failed’
In an interview to Times Radio, John Bolton said that America is also responsible for the situation forcing India to buy Russian oil. When Iran was banned, the US gave exemption to allies and also suggested alternative sources. But no such initiative was taken in the case of India. He said, we could have prevented India from depending on Russian energy, but we lost that opportunity. Bolton admitted that Trump’s policy has pushed India close to Russia. This has damaged the strategic relations formed by years of hard work between the US and India. He said, Trump has hurt our own interests by banning the entire Indian economy.
India did not break any rules on energy purchase from Russia
Bolton made it clear that India did not violate any kind of international rules in the purchase of Russian oil and gas. He said that Indian companies buy Russian oil at a lower price of the European Union, refine it and sell it in the global market and it is completely valid. He says that it was a weakness of the US and European countries that they wanted to balance the sales of Russian oil as so that prices would not increase in the international market. This strategy gave India an opportunity to take advantage, but it was not an illegal step.
American policies may have to pay the price
Bolton warned that America may have to bear the brunt of Trump’s wrong strategy in future. He said that it is very important to keep India a balance between the growing alliances between Russia and China. If India bends more towards Russia, it can harm America’s long -term strategic interests. He bluntly said that we missed the opportunity to convince India and now the same India has become more dependent on Russian energy. We may have to pay a big price in the coming years of this mistake.
Now Trump told India ‘good friend’
Donald Trump’s attitude also seems to be changing amidst India’s strict response and opposition in America. Trump has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a good friend while retreating his earlier strictly. He said that talks are going on between India and America about the trade agreement, and they themselves are willing to meet Modi. Trump also said that the two countries are moving towards removing mutual business obstacles. It is clear from his changed tone that the increasing criticism within America and strict answers from India has forced Trump to soften his stand.