Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned that Trump’s tariff policy, which includes a steep 50 percent tariff on Indian imports due to India’s purchase of Russian oil, jeopardizes the India-US strategic partnership and could strengthen China’s and Russia’s positions in Asia. Bolton emphasizes that such trade decisions, devoid of a diplomatic framework, could alienate India at a crucial time, especially following Prime Minister Modi’s positive engagements with both Putin and Xi Jinping during the recent SCO summit. This situation raises concerns that the US’s approach may inadvertently push India closer to its historic partners, potentially reshaping the geopolitical balance in the region.