Victor Davis Hanson: How US-India Tension Fuels Russia and China

Aug 26, 2025

Explore the complexities of US-India relations, where trade disputes and tariffs strain potential partnerships. Discover how India's reliance on Russian oil complicates its ties with America. Despite cultural and economic commonalities, India finds itself drawn closer to Russia and China. The strategic decisions during Trump's presidency play a pivotal role in this diplomatic landscape. Can the two nations overcome these challenges for a profitable alliance?

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INSIGHT

India As A Natural U.S. Partner

India combines democratic, English-speaking strengths with a large, growing population poised to outpace China demographically.
These attributes make India a natural strategic partner for the United States but political and economic frictions block closer alignment.

ANECDOTE

Indian-American Community's Impact

Indian immigrants number around five to six million and form a highly successful, influential minority in the U.S.
They arrive with capital, skills, and English facility, which Hanson says the U.S. welcomes broadly.

INSIGHT

Trade Numbers Hide Strategic Tensions

Trade figures between the U.S. and India are disputed depending on whether services and remittances are counted.
Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and India's own trade policies strained the bilateral relationship.

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India’s growing population, economic strength, and position as an English-speaking counterweight to China should make it a perfect partner for America.

So, why isn’t it?

On today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson explains how trade disputes, tariffs, and India’s continued purchases of Russian oil have strained ties. Instead of strengthening bonds with America, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is moving closer to both Russia and China.

“It should be a very profitable relationship, especially for India to have all of its citizens free to come to the United States. And millions apparently do and they get billions of dollars in remittances. They run a trade surplus with us. And we have a lot of commonalities as English-speaking democracies. But we're not. And so, why aren't we? One of the greatest problems is Donald Trump slapped a tariff. And he said, ‘India's tariffs are too high.’ And they replied, ‘Well, if you look at services and the other intangibles that I mentioned, maybe it's not that bad. And we're working on it.’ But Trump really did put high tariffs on India.”

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(0:00) Current US-India Relations

(0:20) The Indian-American Community in the US

(3:03) Trade Disputes and Economic Tensions

(4:05) Tariffs and Russian Oil Controversy

(5:48) Historical Context

(6:53) Future of US-India Relations

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