Trump Explodes After Modi and Putin are Seen Holding Hands at Chinese Summit

President Donald Trump erupted in anger Monday after images surfaced showing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin holding hands during a high-profile summit in China — a public display of unity that the White House views as a deliberate snub to Washington.

The two leaders were seen laughing and clasping hands as they entered the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trio, often described by Western diplomats as an emerging “anti-U.S. power bloc,” used the summit to showcase what Xi called a “new global order free from Western domination.”

Trump Slams India’s “One-Sided Disaster”

Within hours, Trump took to Truth Social to blast India’s leadership and hint at a major policy shift.

“What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us,” Trump wrote. “In other words, they sell us massive amounts of goods, their biggest ‘client,’ but we sell them very little. Until now it’s been a totally one-sided relationship — and it has been for decades.”

He added, “India has charged us the highest tariffs of any country, making it impossible for U.S. businesses to compete. Meanwhile, they buy most of their oil and weapons from Russia, almost nothing from us. Now they’ve offered to cut tariffs to zero, but it’s too late. They should have done it years ago!”

A Shift Away from Washington

Diplomats say Modi’s warm embrace of Putin and Xi marks a dramatic shift in India’s foreign policy. Traditionally, India has carefully balanced ties with both Washington and Moscow while avoiding overt friendliness with Beijing.

“It’s no coincidence this photo op happened right after Trump raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent,” said Dr. Evelyn Hartman, an international trade expert at Georgetown University. “This is New Delhi signaling to Washington that they have other options.”

Just a year ago, President Joe Biden had hailed Modi as a “strategic partner” and celebrated U.S.-India ties as “stronger than ever.” But Trump’s aggressive stance on trade, coupled with India’s decision to buy discounted Russian oil despite U.S. sanctions, has strained relations.

A Deliberate Show of Power

At the Tianjin summit, Putin, Modi, and Xi walked hand-in-hand before joining translators and advisors in a private meeting. The cameras caught Modi laughing loudly as he gripped both Putin and Xi’s hands — a symbolic moment widely seen as choreographed to unsettle Washington.

“This was carefully staged,” said a senior U.S. intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Xi wants to make it clear that if the U.S. won’t play ball, he has partners who will.”

What’s Next

The SCO summit continues this week with 20 world leaders in attendance. On Tuesday, Putin, Modi, and Xi are scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un — a gathering analysts warn could deepen military and economic cooperation among America’s rivals.

Trump is expected to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon. According to senior White House aides, the president is weighing “significant economic measures” against India if it continues to align itself with Moscow and Beijing.

“The days of the U.S. getting played are over,” a senior administration official said. “President Trump is prepared to defend American interests.”