Trump Says India Offers Zero Tariffs As Modi Backs China

News Desk

Islamabad: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that India has offered to reduce tariffs on American goods to zero, even as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly showcased unity with Chinese and Russian leaders amid Washington’s trade pressure.

Calling the US-India relationship “one-sided,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago.”

The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks, which come after the US imposed duties as high as 50% on Indian products — raising fresh concerns about the future of bilateral ties.

Trump’s statement coincided with Modi’s visit to China for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, attended by over 20 leaders of non-Western nations. The forum has gained new momentum as a counterweight to Trump’s tariff-heavy global trade policy.

At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted his vision of a new global security and economic framework prioritizing the “Global South,” positioning it as a direct challenge to the United States.

Despite closer US-India ties in recent years — strengthened during Trump’s first term due to shared concerns about China — tensions grew after India continued purchasing Russian oil in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Moscow over the Ukraine war.

In a symbolic show of solidarity, images from China showed Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin walking hand-in-hand toward Xi, smiling and flanked by interpreters before the summit began.

Beijing also used the gathering to reset ties with New Delhi. During his first visit to China in seven years, Modi and Xi emphasized that their countries are “development partners, not rivals,” and explored new opportunities for trade cooperation.

The US State Department and the White House have not yet responded to requests for comment on the developments in China.