Trump driving India closer to China, says former US NSA Sullivan

Jake Sullivan, who served as National Security Adviser under former President Joe Biden, warned that Donald Trump’s approach could damage US alliances, as partners increasingly view Washington as unpredictable — with India tilting towards Beijing.

Former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has criticized President Donald Trump for launching what he described as a “massive trade offensive” against India, arguing that such moves are nudging New Delhi towards closer ties with China.

His remarks coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China after seven years to attend the SCO Summit, where he is also scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ahead of his arrival in Tianjin, Modi emphasized that a stable and cooperative relationship between India and China is essential for a multipolar Asia and world.

Speaking on The Bulwark Podcast with Tim Miller, Sullivan said: “When I meet leaders abroad, they tell me they’re trying to derisk from the US. America is now seen as the disruptor — unreliable and unpredictable — while China increasingly presents itself as the responsible global actor. The US brand is in decline.”

Reflecting on Washington’s past efforts, he added: “We worked hard to strengthen ties with India, especially with the China challenge in mind. But Trump’s aggressive trade actions left India questioning the US, making them feel the need to engage more with Beijing as a hedge.”

Earlier this week, Democratic lawmakers on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee also criticized Trump for targeting India with tariffs and undermining bilateral ties, while noting that China — a major importer of Russian oil — has not faced similar penalties. They argued this showed the issue was not truly about Ukraine.

Tensions further escalated after Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro labeled the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war.” The American Jewish Committee (AJC), an international advocacy group, condemned the remark, saying it was “deeply troubling” and called for a reset in US-India relations.

In a statement on X, AJC said: “We are baffled and disturbed by the repeated attacks on India from US officials. While we regret India’s dependence on Russian oil, New Delhi is not responsible for Putin’s crimes. India is a democracy, a vital strategic partner for the US, and key to global power dynamics. It’s time to repair this crucial relationship.”