In a stunning diplomatic bombshell at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump publicly accused India and China of being the “primary funders” of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The assertion, made during his annual address to world leaders, has sent shockwaves through the international community and severely strained Washington’s relationship with New Delhi.
Trump’s speech marked a dramatic escalation, transforming what had been diplomatic friction over oil purchases into a global accusation of complicity. By stating that India and China are financing the conflict through their energy deals with Moscow, Trump effectively blamed them for the prolonged bloodshed, a charge that India has consistently pushed back against by citing its own economic compulsions and energy security needs.
The US President didn’t stop at words, alluding to the harsh economic measures his administration is willing to take. He mentioned the recent 25% tariff hike on Indian goods, which brought the total to 50%, as a direct consequence of the oil deals. He further advocated for even tougher tariffs on Russia’s customers, presenting economic warfare as a quick solution to the military conflict. This stance puts India in an extremely difficult position, caught between an aggressive US and a key energy supplier.
Adding to the tense atmosphere, Trump also revisited his unsubstantiated claim of having “stopped a war” between India and Pakistan. By repeating this narrative at the UN, he attempted to paint a picture of himself as a global peacemaker while simultaneously undermining India’s agency in its own regional security matters. India has always maintained that the de-escalation of ‘Operation Sindoor’ was its own initiative.
The Modi government, which has painstakingly cultivated a close relationship with Trump, now faces a diplomatic crisis. The President’s “mercurial” temperament, as described by Indian opposition figures, was on full display, swinging from praise of Prime Minister Modi as a “good friend” to public condemnation in a matter of weeks. This unpredictability presents a formidable challenge for Indian foreign policy.