Trump embraces Xi, Modi in the cold

Mr Modi last met Mr Trump on February 14, 2025. Subsequently, there were three occasions when a Modi-Trump meeting could have taken place.

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First, after the G-7 Summit in Canada, Mr Trump invited Mr Modi to ‘stop over’ in Washington, but Mr Modi declined; I think rightly. Second, when Mr Modi did not travel to Egypt for the signing of the Gaza peace agreement. Third, the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025 but, inexplicably, Mr Modi decided to address the gathering virtually; I think wrongly. It is widely believed that Mr Modi is keen to avoid a bilateral meeting or even a conversation with Mr Trump.

For the umpteenth time, Mr Trump has claimed that he had used the ‘no trade’ threat to compel India and Pakistan to stop the war, and the war was stopped on the fourth day. Mr Modi has not denied the claim publicly or in Parliament. Besides, Mr Modi has never told Mr Xi in his face that Chinese troops had intruded into Indian territory and they remain illegal occupiers.

The embrace between Mr Trump and Mr Xi has left India in the cold, along with Japan, Australia and Taiwan. India is practically friendless in South Asia. West Asian countries are forging new arrangements among themselves and with Israel, without India. It is time to acquire some humility and go back to the policy drawing board.