Influential Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen has lambasted the Trump administration's aggressive tariff policies toward India over its Russian oil purchases, deeming it "unfortunate" that years of nurturing relations with New Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been dismantled in months. Amid escalating trade tensions, Shaheen's remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations spotlight inconsistencies in US foreign policy, potentially exacerbating geopolitical shifts as India strengthens ties with Russia and China. This critique highlights broader concerns over America's global standing, where selective enforcement of sanctions risks alienating strategic partners and weakening efforts to counter rival influences in Asia and beyond.

Shaheen, from New Hampshire and a key figure in the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, argued that Trump's approach fails to advance US interests, unravelling six decades of diplomatic investments. She endorsed extending the 50% tariffs—doubled recently, with an extra 25% for Russian crude—to China but noted the president's reluctance stems from Beijing's threats to withhold critical minerals and goods. "It's unfortunate... that after years of trying to build this relationship with India and with Prime Minister Modi, it's been undone in just months," she said, pointing to "glaring contradictions" like tariffs on surplus-trading Brazil while ignoring China's actions.

Referencing photos from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin showing Modi, Putin, and Xi "all holding hands", Shaheen illustrated emerging alignments. India has labelled the US measures "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable". Trump optimistically posted about upcoming talks with Modi, predicting success, but White House advisor Peter Navarro dismissed the need for "unfair trade" with India, claiming New Delhi desperately seeks US market access.

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These developments could prompt urgent diplomacy to mend ties, but they underscore vulnerabilities in US strategy amid global realignments.

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