We have gradually been wooing India away from its non-aligned but still pro-Russian foreign policy for more than two decades through several administrations from both parties. Along with being the second most populous country in the world, it is the planets largest democracy, and a vast source of material and services for this country. Geopolitically, they represent a powerful counterbalance to Chinese ambitions in the Pacific.
Of great concern is any potential alignment between Russia, China, and India. In a "brilliant" move of international diplomacy, less than a month after PM Modi seemed to have a positive engagement with Trump in Washington, the administration decided to slap India with tariffs more punitive than those on China - over a trade deficit of all things.
This week, at least in part in clear retaliation, we are now treated a strategic embrace between Putin, Xi, and Modi with hangers on like Iran. Should that mature into an actual anti-Western - and particularly anti-American - alliance, the Western Pacific becomes essentially indefensible offering some really difficult choices for traditional allies like Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.
