Susan Rice Warns US Could Lose India Over Trump's Policies, Modi Calls Trump on 75th Birthday

Former US National Security Advisor Susan Rice has said India is a “proud and strong nation” that could move away from the United States because of former President Donald Trump’s policies. She called this shift a “huge loss” for Washington.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Rice argued that ties worsened after Trump tried to take credit for easing tensions between India and Pakistan. “When India did not accept that narrative, the relationship suffered. Now India is charting its own course,” she said.

Her remarks came even as India-US relations appeared to be improving. On Tuesday, Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him on his 75th birthday. Modi later posted on X, thanking Trump and calling him a “friend.” He also said India is committed to strengthening the partnership with the US and voiced support for Trump’s efforts to end the Ukraine war.

Trump, in turn, praised Modi on Truth Social, saying the two had a “wonderful” conversation. He described Modi as doing a “tremendous job” and thanked him for backing his push to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The same day, US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch met India’s chief trade negotiator Rajesh Agrawal in New Delhi. Both sides called the talks “positive,” signaling progress on trade issues.

Despite these signs of warmth, Rice remained critical of Trump’s broader approach. She said his policies had pushed India closer to Russia and China “within weeks.” Pointing to India’s participation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, she noted how striking it was to see India working more closely with countries it recently had sharp tensions with, especially China.

Adding to this, US Congresswoman Deborah Ross recently described Modi’s outreach to China as a “smart move.” She said it showed India has options and was sending a message to Washington not to take its support for granted.