Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said that the once “very good” personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “gone now”. He also warned that building close personal ties with Trump will not shield world leaders from the “worst”.
Bolton’s comments come at a time when India-US relations have taken a rough turn. The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports, calling it a part of crackdown on Russia and its war in Ukraine. White House adviser Peter Navarro has also taken aim at New Delhi’s ties with Moscow.
Speaking to British media outlet LBC, Bolton said that Trump views foreign relations through the lens of personal friendships with leaders. “If he has a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, the US has a good relationship with Russia. That’s obviously not the case,” he said.
Bolton added that the President’s tariffs and rhetoric have strained ties with India, pushing New Delhi “closer” to Russia and China. He pointed out that Modi’s personal rapport with Trump did not prevent a downturn in ties.
“That’s gone now, and it’s a lesson for everybody, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, that personal relations may help sometimes but won’t protect you from the worst,” he said.
Trump is scheduled to visit the UK from September 17 to 19, after being invited by King Charles III earlier this year. Bolton cautioned that Trump’s approach has set back decades of bipartisan efforts to bring India closer to the US and away from its Cold War alignment with Moscow. “That has been reversed. I think it can be reversed again, but it’s a very bad moment,” he noted.
ALSO READ: Trump Enforces US-Japan Trade Pact With Executive Order, 15 PC Tariff Applied
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
